Saudi Arabia warns of potential danger in Yanbu oil hub as Houthi attacks continue
USO•Saudi Arabia issued alerts warning of potential danger in Yanbu, its Red Sea oil export hub, as Houthi attacks continued. The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed a missile launched toward Medina.
1. Alerts and interception
Saudi Arabia issued alerts on Thursday warning of potential danger in Yanbu, its Red Sea oil export hub. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said it destroyed a missile launched toward Medina, while civil defence issued emergency alerts for Sharurah, near the Yemeni border.
2. Reported attacks
The Houthis had not claimed an attack on Saudi Arabia on Thursday. They said on Wednesday they had attacked Riyadh’s international airport, but Saudi authorities have not confirmed it. Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia and witnessed the signing of a defence agreement with Crown Prince Mohammed; no details of the agreement were provided.
3. Regional support
Saudi Arabia has requested defensive and offensive support from countries including the United States, European countries and Middle Eastern states. Egypt approved military assistance last month, Turkey is set to ratify a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that includes a collective defence clause, and Britain said in October it would fly fighter jets on defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities.
