HOUTHIS ATTACK SAUDI ARABIAN CITIES WITH DRONES AND MISSILES

Yemen's Houthi group launched overnight strikes against four Saudi Arabian cities using dozens of drones and missiles, according to reports. The attacks targeted oil facilities in the southern cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, Najran and Jizan, with official figures suggesting more than 70 people were wounded. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry stated it would "take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty" and demanded an end to Houthi strikes on Saudi territory and Red Sea shipping.

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen's populated areas including the capital, said they had launched a broad operation targeting military and oil infrastructure deep within Saudi territory. Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said pro-government forces would "take all necessary operational measures to deter the terrorist Houthi militia with utmost resolve". Jizan, which hosts one of Saudi Arabia's largest refineries, had been damaged in an earlier attack weeks prior. Saudi authorities reported that women and children were among those injured in the overnight strikes.

The attacks mark a significant expansion of regional conflict following resumed exchanges of fire between Iran and the US after a month of relative calm in August. Oil prices have risen to levels not seen since July in response to the escalation. The strikes represent some of the largest attacks carried out against Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the US-Israel conflict with Iran in February, according to reporting on the incident.