Houthi Strikes Wound 13 Civilians in Saudi Cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif
Houthi Strikes Wound 13 in Saudi Arabia
Thirteen civilians were wounded in strikes by the Iran-backed Houthis on the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif on Monday night, the Saudi-led coalition announced early on Tuesday. [2] The Saudi-led coalition announced this after the Saudi Civil Defense issued an emergency alert for the Khamis Mushait and Abha areas on Monday night, State TV announced. [2] The announcement followed state television reports of the strikes on those cities. [2] The strikes occurred amid ongoing hostilities involving Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. [2]
Emergency Alerts Issued Across Multiple Cities
The Saudi-led coalition announced the casualties after the Saudi Civil Defense issued an emergency alert for the Khamis Mushait and Abha areas on Monday night, with state TV reporting the strikes. [2] Later on Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian Civil Defense issued additional emergency alerts for the areas of Yanbu, Taif, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, and Alula. [2] These alerts expanded the scope of warnings beyond the initial cities targeted in the Houthi strikes. [2] The sequence of alerts reflected the Saudi response to the reported attacks on Monday night and subsequent developments. [2]
Saudi Crown Prince Meets CENTCOM Chief
Earlier on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah to discuss regional developments. [2] The meeting took place amid escalating hostilities with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. [2] Saudi state media reported the discussion between the crown prince and the CENTCOM chief. [2] The encounter occurred days before additional details emerged about Saudi requests for external military support. [2]
Trump Declines Direct Strikes but Offers Intelligence Support
The crown prince had sought military assistance from US President Donald Trump to fight the Houthis, but Trump did not agree to US strikes. [2] Instead, Washington told Riyadh it would provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance, according to three sources familiar with the matter. [2] The reported US response focused on non-strike forms of support rather than direct military action against the group. [2] This approach came as part of ongoing communications between Saudi and US officials regarding the Houthi threat. [2]
Broader Regional Attacks and Shipping Disruptions
Hormuz traffic dwindles after Middle East attacks intensify, according to shipping data. [1] An oil tanker exploded and caught fire after colliding with mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's IRGC said, according to Fars. [1] A commercial vessel is anchored off Yemen's coast at Bab al-Mandeb in the straits connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. [1] Saudi Arabia may need five to six weeks to repair damage from a drone attack on its East-West Pipeline, taking nearly four percent of global oil supplies off the market, according to a report by Reuters. [3] Brent, the international benchmark, was trading up three percent on Monday at nearly $108 per barrel. [3] Oil already soared last week as a result of a lightning Houthi offensive that put the group in control of Yemen’s side of the Bab el-Mandeb, a key Red Sea chokepoint for Saudi Arabian oil shipments. [3]
What to watch next: Further emergency alerts from Saudi Civil Defense and any updates on the crown prince's discussions with US officials regarding assistance against the Houthis remain areas of attention following the reported strikes and regional shipping incidents.
