Urgent Warning: Houthis Strike Saudi Airbase As Oil Pipeline Shuts Down
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, targeting hangars, radars, runways, and ammunition dumps. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on Monday that dozens of missiles and drones achieved precise hits on the facility, which serves as a base for Saudi F-15 and Typhoon aircraft operations in Yemen. The group characterized the strike as retaliation for over 300 Saudi airstrikes conducted during the previous five days. Saudi Civil Defence officials issued alerts for Khamis Mushait and Abha, later declaring the danger passed, though Riyadh has not confirmed the extent of the damage reported by residents, who cited heavy, prolonged explosions and fires.
- Yemen Houthi rebels claim missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia King Khalid Air Base.
- East-West oil pipeline remains shut after drone strike from Iraq.
- Brent crude prices increase by more than 3 percent on Monday.
- Diplomatic efforts stall as Oman postpones planned meeting between Iranian and Gulf officials.
Pressure on Oil Infrastructure
The strike coincides with severe pressure on Saudi oil infrastructure. The East-West pipeline remains shut following a drone strike launched from Iraq, an act that has prompted an investigation and the firing of a provincial commander in Baghdad. Traders warn that Yanbu oil stocks could be depleted within five to seven days if the line remains inoperable, with repairs potentially taking weeks. Brent crude prices increased by more than 3 percent on Monday. In addition to the pipeline, the Houthis have recently seized the port of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, effectively threatening a critical maritime tanker route following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Stalled Diplomatic Efforts
Diplomatic efforts to address the crisis have stalled, as a planned meeting in Oman between Iranian and Gulf officials was postponed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. Bahrain had previously refused to participate, and Saudi Arabia reportedly requested a delay. Tehran, which denies directing the war in Yemen, has listed 77 ships it claims violated its rules in the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that the waterway will only open on Iranian terms.
Meetings in Jeddah
In Jeddah, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held meetings with U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper on Monday to seek assistance against the Houthis. While the U.S. has provided intelligence, it has refrained from direct airstrikes. The region faces a complex security environment characterized by missile threats from Yemen, drone activity from Iraq, and the closure of major energy chokepoints, leaving the GCC states struggling to maintain unity as the crisis intensifies.