Saudi Arabia vows swift response after Houthi attacks on cities

Saudi Arabia said it would respond decisively following a series of attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement on cities and critical energy installations across the kingdom. The strikes, which authorities attributed to the Iran-aligned group, resulted in 73 people being injured and ignited fires at petroleum facilities in multiple locations.

The coordinated assault underscores the escalating military capabilities of the Houthi movement, which has repeatedly targeted Saudi infrastructure over recent years. The group has previously demonstrated the ability to launch drone and missile strikes across significant distances, posing an ongoing security challenge to the Gulf state.

Saudi officials did not provide immediate details on the scope of damage to energy facilities or specify the timeline for their planned response. The kingdom's defense ministry said it was assessing the full extent of the incident and would take appropriate action against those responsible for the attacks.

The incident marks the latest in a pattern of cross-border strikes that have characterized the broader conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis control significant population centers and have developed an increasingly sophisticated arsenal of weapons. Regional tensions remain elevated amid broader geopolitical competition in the Gulf.