Saudi Arabia vows response to Houthi attacks on cities, energy facilities

Houthi rebels launched a coordinated barrage of ballistic missiles and drones against southern Saudi Arabia on September 8, striking four cities and igniting fires at energy facilities. The attacks wounded 73 civilians, including women and children, and temporarily disrupted operations at one of the kingdom’s most important refining complexes. What happened on the ground The strikes targeted Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, a string of cities across Saudi Arabia’s southern border region with Yemen. Civilian neighborhoods and energy infrastructure both took hits, with fires breaking out at several facilities. Jazan is home to a major Aramco refinery capable of processing 400,000 barrels per day. That facility experienced temporary operational interruptions as a result of the attacks, though the full extent of damage to output capacity has not been publicly detailed. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, condemned the assaults on civilian and economic targets. He pledged that the coalition would respond with “utmost resolve” to what he characterized as a direct violation of Saudi sovereignty. Why the truce collapsed The Houthis claimed responsib...