On November 2, 2023, Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense Organization announced that security threats in the southern and western cities of the country, including Khamis Mushait, Abha, Taif, and Najran, have been resolved. This announcement followed weeks of escalating tensions with the Houthis of Yemen.
Houthi Missile Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Following this announcement, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen stated that it successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards southern Saudi Arabia. These missile and drone attacks by the Houthis have repeatedly targeted southern Saudi regions, especially military facilities and energy infrastructure.
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One of the key areas affected by these attacks is Jazan, where an oil refinery with a capacity of 400,000 barrels per day is located on the shores of the Red Sea. This situation has significantly increased the risk to Saudi Arabia's oil production and exports.
Saudi Air Operations Against the Houthis
Saudi Arabia has also continued to target Houthi positions in Yemen with airstrikes. These activities are aimed at reducing threats to Saudi oil and production infrastructure. In this context, the Houthis have also attacked the East-West pipeline facilities and oil export facilities in Yanbu, one of the key points for Saudi crude oil exports.
These developments come as tensions in Yemen and retaliatory attacks are sharply escalating, and their impacts on the economy and national security of Saudi Arabia are clearly evident. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to maintain security and stability in the region.
Given the current conditions, it seems that Saudi Arabia will continue its actions to counter Houthi missile threats and strengthen its national security. This situation will not only affect Saudi internal security but may also impact global oil markets and prices.
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