Houthis Attack Saudi Oil Sites as UN Sanctions Renewed

The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to extend sanctions against Yemen's Houthi group for another year.

The vote followed renewed aerial attacks by the Iran-allied rebels on Saudi Arabia. Saudi coalition forces said they intercepted suspected Houthi drones over the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province. Major General Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesperson, announced the interceptions in a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group targeted oil infrastructure and military assets inside the kingdom. He stated that a drone hit a pumping station on the East-West Pipeline and struck the Yanbu oil facility on the Red Sea. Riyadh reported rerouting approximately 4 million barrels of crude per day through that pipeline to Yanbu. This volume represents about 4 percent of global supply.

Saree further alleged that a drone targeted a military cargo plane at Sharurah airport near the Yemeni border. He said a ballistic missile launched toward Khamis Mushait airbase scored a direct hit. The Houthi spokesperson also claimed forces targeted the Saudi Aramco headquarters in Riyadh. He rejected Saudi assertions that the group targeted the Mecca region on Wednesday, calling that claim a grave falsehood.

Saudi-backed coalition forces said they continue to confront the Houthis across all frontlines. They stated they are targeting leaders, vehicles, reinforcements, weapons, and positions. Yemen’s Defence Ministry, citing the Presidential Leadership Council, said the battle is moving toward desired objectives. A meeting in the Marib governorate discussed ways to enhance coordination among military units participating in the Dawn of Yemen offensive.

The Security Council resolution includes asset freezes and travel bans. Members demanded an end to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and called on all parties to refrain from escalatory actions. The resolution emphasized that sanctions measures should not apply to humanitarian assistance or supplies for basic civilian needs. Ambassador Fu Cong, China’s envoy to the UN, said the sanctions are merely a means and hoped the situation would de-escalate as soon as possible.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that more than 333,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since August. More than 24,000 people were displaced in the past week alone. OCHA noted that civilians continue to pay a heavy price as violence damages health facilities and hinders humanitarian work.

Saudi Arabia is pressing the European Union to adopt a resolution designating the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization. European officials told Reuters the bloc is concerned this move could undermine a future peace process. EU foreign policy spokesperson Anouar El-Anouni said the bloc remains in regular contact with Riyadh but declined to comment on specific discussions.