Houthis Claim Attack Targeting Saudi East West Oil Transport Infrastructure

Yemen’s Houthi Group claimed on Monday to have targeted many crude oil supply and transportation facilities connecting Saudi Arabia to Yanbu oil export hub on the Red Sea.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said ​the strikes were in response to the Saudi drone incursions into the airspace of Yemen.

Given the Houthi threat, Saudi Arabia has rerouted its crude oil shipments via its east-west pipeline, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The previous week, Houthis announced their decision to extend the blockade of Saudi’s oil industry in the Red Sea, after which oil prices soared.

Saudi Arabia retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen’s Port of Hodeidah, saying the attacks were intended to prevent the Iran-backed group from disrupting its crude oil shipping networks.

The Houthi blockade comes after the U.S and Iran have also halted direct attacks on each other’s assets for a third straight day. The group has also warned ships near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and recently attacked a Saudi tanker.

According to officials, Qatar, Pakistan and Oman are mediating the talks to bring the U.S and Iran back to the table after the interim peace agreement between the two countries collapsed after weeks of attacks and accusations of ceasefire violations.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was giving diplomacy “some space” after two weeks of attacks.

Iran also said that it halted attacks after the U.S decision to do so.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that talks between Washington and Tehran are happening with the help of mediators who continue to pass messages from both sides, though there are no direct negotiations around the corner.

Iran and Oman have also held discussions on the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Though attacks have stopped, tensions remain high in the region.

According to reports, Jordan intercepted two drones while another attack targeted an Iranian Kurdish dissent group in Iraq.

Commercial shipping operations via Hormuz fell to the lowest level in 3 weeks, and the U.S military said that its naval blockade of Iranian ports is still in place, with many tankers redirected, disabled and boarded in the past few days.