Yemen’s Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery

Yemen’s Houthi group claimed Tuesday that it targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery in eastern Saudi Arabia with a ballistic missile, Anadolu reports.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement on US social media company X that the group’s forces fired a ballistic missile at the refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Saree claimed the missile hit its target and caused large fires at the site.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the claim.

Earlier Tuesday, Saudi Civil Defense activated early warning alerts over a potential threat in Najran, Abha and Khamis Mushait before later announcing that the danger had passed, without specifying its nature.

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The development comes amid continued military escalation between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Earlier Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted four drones and three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis have intensified attacks against the kingdom since July, with missile and drone launches targeting civilian airports, oil facilities and military sites in the country increasing during October.

​​​​​​​Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis since March 2015. The group, accused of receiving Iranian support, has controlled the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen since September 2014.

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