Houthis Claim They Targeted Saudi East-West Oil Transport Network

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement says it has carried out a new attack on Saudi Arabia’s strategic east-west crude oil transport network, claiming to have targeted sensitive oil supply and transportation facilities that connect the kingdom’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea export hub of Yanbu. The announcement marks another escalation in regional tensions that have increasingly threatened global energy supplies.

In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the operation was conducted in response to what the group described as repeated Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. He claimed the strikes were aimed at infrastructure used to transport crude oil across Saudi Arabia, though he did not provide evidence or specify the extent of any damage.

Saudi state oil giant Aramco did not immediately comment on the Houthi claims, and Saudi authorities had not confirmed whether any facilities were hit or whether oil production or exports had been affected. Independent verification of the attack was not immediately available.

The east-west pipeline has become one of Saudi Arabia’s most strategically important energy assets in recent months. The network allows crude oil to be transported from production fields in the country’s Eastern Province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, enabling exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has faced repeated threats linked to the wider Iran-Israel conflict.

The latest claim comes just days after the Houthis announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi oil exports in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil tankers. Those developments have heightened fears that the conflict could disrupt two of the world’s most important maritime energy corridors; the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil supplies normally passes.

Saudi Arabia has responded to recent Houthi attacks by launching airstrikes against what it described as Houthi military targets around Yemen’s Hodeidah port. Riyadh says the operations are intended to protect international shipping lanes and secure vital energy infrastructure from further attacks.

Shipping data suggest the latest escalation is already affecting maritime traffic. Vessel movements through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell sharply over the weekend as shipping companies reassessed security risks. Tankers carrying Saudi crude have increasingly altered routes or delayed voyages amid concerns over missile and drone attacks.

Energy analysts warn that although the immediate impact on global oil supplies remains uncertain, continued attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure could increase insurance costs, disrupt shipping schedules and create renewed volatility in international oil markets. Governments and shipping companies are closely monitoring the situation as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a broader regional conflict.