Saudi Arabia has launched a series of strikes on a strategic oil depot on the outskirts of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with the Iran-backed Houthi forces. This attack, which occurred on Tuesday, follows a warning from a Saudi spokesperson urging civilians to evacuate the target area, indicating the scale of the operation aimed at Houthi energy infrastructure.
Details of the Attack
The Central Sabaha Station oil depot, located on the western side of Sana’a, typically holds large quantities of fuel derivatives. However, the Yemeni Oil Company reported that its storage facilities were empty at the time of the strikes. In addition to the oil depot, Houthi facilities at the Ras Isa port in Hodeidah were also targeted in a series of ten attacks, seemingly intended to hinder the Houthi army's advances towards the southern city of Taiz.
Earlier, Saudi forces targeted what they believed to be a Houthi leadership hideout in the Bani Mu’in area of the Razih border district, located west of Saada governorate in northern Yemen. This latest offensive appears to be a direct response to a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, which resulted in 13 deaths and 300 injuries. The airport is currently closed until at least Saturday, posing a challenge to Saudi Arabia's efforts to present itself as a secure investment destination.
Houthi Response
In reaction to the Saudi strikes, a Houthi spokesperson warned all employees and citizens near any Aramco Petroleum facilities in Riyadh to evacuate, labeling them as legitimate targets for Houthi forces. The disparity in threats highlights the military dynamics, with Saudi Arabia maintaining air dominance over Yemen, while the Houthis rely on drones and missiles that are more susceptible to interception.
