Saudi Arabia highlights: Houthis say they attacked Saudi's Aramco facilities in Yanbu

Saudi Arabia highlights: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday condemned the reported targeting of Mecca as a “cowardly terrorist attack”, after Yemen’s Houthi rebels denied launching a drone towards the holy city.

Saudi Arabia highlights: This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage shows fighters affiliated with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government engaging in clashes with Houthi authorities in Al-Jawf province on September 15, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia highlights: Yemen's Houthi forces claimed on Wednesday that they had attacked an airbase in Khamis Mushait as well as facilities of Saudi's Aramco in Yanbu. The group had also claimed to have shot down a Saudi fighter jet on Tuesday as fighting intensified between the group and Saudi-backed forces....Read More

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• 16 Sept 2026, 11:03:26 PM IST

  Live updates for this blog end here.

• 16 Sept 2026, 10:12:19 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Yemen village left deserted after Houthi shelling

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: In a tiny village perched on a mountain in Yemen, all the doors are padlocked, a children's swing hangs motionless and silence reigns after residents fled the shelling of pro-Iran Houthi fighters.

  Like tens of thousands of people across Yemen who have fled their homes for less violent regions, the vast majority of residents of Al-Akad have left since the Houthis' lightning offensive engulfed their village.

  For now, only the bravest have returned, if only to check whether their homes are still standing.

  "I came to check on our house and the houses of some of our neighbours and make sure they are safe," said Abdallah Hassan Ahmed, one of just two residents an AFP journalist saw in the village. (AFP)

• 16 Sept 2026, 08:47:08 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthis claim shooting down an F-15 fighter jet

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Houthis claimed on Wednesday that they had shot down an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the Saudi-led coalition over Yemen’s central Marib province, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

  Houthi military spokesperson Brig Gen Yahya Saree did not specify when the alleged incident took place.

• 16 Sept 2026, 07:39:30 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Red Sea offensive elevates Houthi chief’s growing influence in Yemen

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the elusive leader of Yemen’s battle-hardened Houthi forces, has secured his biggest military success in years after the Iran-aligned group seized large stretches of the country’s Red Sea coastline, strengthening its hold over a crucial shipping route and raising concerns in oil-rich Saudi Arabia, reported Reuters.

  The offensive, which has included attacks on Saudi Arabia, has put the Houthis in a position to potentially influence traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key maritime trade routes for goods and commodities, including oil.

• 16 Sept 2026, 06:55:03 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Oil slips as Saudi Arabia offers more crude via Oman

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Oil prices fell on Wednesday as reports that Saudi Arabia was offering additional crude cargoes via Oman eased concerns about the scale of Middle East supply disruptions, while European diesel prices hovered near a record high.

  Brent crude futures were down $1.30, or 1.2%, at $107.45 a barrel by 1307 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down $1.96, or 1.85%, at $103.87. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 06:16:25 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi says targeting of Mecca is ‘cowardly terrorist attack’

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that the targeting of Mecca was a "cowardly terrorist attack". This comes after Yemen's Houthis denied launching a drone at the holy city.

  Saudi also "reaffirms its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend the security of the two holy mosques, the pilgrims, and the entire Saudi territory, its citizens, and its residents," according to a foreign ministry statement.

• 16 Sept 2026, 06:01:58 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia condemns 'cowardly terrorist attack' by Houthis on Mecca

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia condemns 'cowardly terrorist attack' by Houthis on Mecca

• 16 Sept 2026, 05:24:21 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthis say they attacked Saudi's Aramco facilities in Yanbu

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Wednesday that the group attacked an airbase in Khamis Mushait as well as Aramco facilities in Yanbu, reported Reuters.

  There has been no confirmation from Saudi Arabia on either of the attacks.

• 16 Sept 2026, 04:56:01 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Iran FM says not interested in continuing conflict with US

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said Tehran is not interested in continuing the conflict with the US and looks forward to returning to a diplomatic solution, as he held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and briefed him on the latest developments in West Asia.

• 16 Sept 2026, 04:41:17 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: US officials met Houthis in Oman over weekend - Report

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: US officials met Houthis in Oman over the weekend after Iran-backed group seized strategic stretch of Red Sea coast, Reuters reported citing sources.

• 16 Sept 2026, 04:27:58 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: ‘Alarms create panic, life in Mecca is normal,’ says a resident

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: A resident of Mecca told news agency AFP on condition of anonymity that he “saw a few people panicking, running to the window to see what happened”.

  “I think the alarm system creates panic... Life is normal in Mecca, and there have been previous incidents in Mecca so this isn't the first one,” the person said.

• 16 Sept 2026, 04:18:50 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthi member calls Mecca attacks claims “worn-out lie”

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthi Politburo's Hazem al-Assad said on X that the claims about targeting Mecca “are a worn-out lie that has been used before and no longer fools anyone”.

• 16 Sept 2026, 03:51:54 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: India expresses concern over attempted drone attack near Mecca

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: India expressed concern over drone attack near Mecca on Wednesday.

  External ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, “We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure. The incident near Makkah is particularly concerning, given the special significance of the city to Muslims across the world.”

  “We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” he added.

• 16 Sept 2026, 03:42:20 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Pak PM condemns attempted drone attack on Mecca

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attempted drone attack on Mecca. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stand “unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder.”

• 16 Sept 2026, 03:27:03 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Tied by key defence pact, Turkey, Pak say no request from Saudi against Houthis

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Amid a new defence pact between Saudi Arabia, NATO member Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan, officials from Ankara and Islamabad told news agnecy Associated Press that Riyadh had not sought their assistance in responding to the Houthis’ escalating attacks.

• 16 Sept 2026, 03:05:55 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi warns Houthi threats could disrupt global trade and supply chains

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia has called for collective international efforts to protect maritime routes and ensure freedom of navigation, warning that Houthi threats in the Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait could disrupt global trade and supply chains.

  The kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, outlined Riyadh’s position during a UN Security Council session on Houthi threats to maritime navigation, reported Saudi Gazette.

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:48:06 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Houthis and the Red Sea shipping crisis

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Houthis have used anti-ship missiles and drones to target vessels in the Red Sea, turning Yemen's conflict into an international maritime security issue.

  Their recent advance toward Bab el-Mandeb has added another layer to the crisis. Reuters said control of positions around the strait could give the group greater leverage over one of the world’s major shipping routes.

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:39:07 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Second attack near Mecca since 2017

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The alleged attack by Houthi rebels near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia overnight was the second such attempt by the rebels, who fired a ballistic missile toward the city in 2017, according to Col. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition, the Associated Press reported. Houthis have denied attacking near the holy city.

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:32:51 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: ‘Houthis called, they don't want to fight with us', says Trump

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The United States is staying out of the fight. Top US officials in recent days have indicated a lack of desire to get involved in the conflict.

  “The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight with us,” US President Donald Trump said Saturday, adding that the rebels appear focused on the Saudis.

  Vice President JD Vance on Monday said Washington had been in “constant contact” with the Saudis and had been “engaged in direct conversations with the Houthis themselves,” calling it “a very fluid and dynamic thing” to be monitored. (AP)

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:25:31 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: ‘Have not asked for help’, says Turkey, Pakistan on attacks on Saudi

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came under attack from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, officials from Turkey and Pakistan told The Associated Press that they have not received a Saudi request for support in response to the Houthis’ escalation.

  This comes as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, establishing a mutual defense pact where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:17:38 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: How the Houthis are putting Saudi Arabia’s oil exports at risk

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Houthis have increasingly targeted Saudi infrastructure with missiles and drones. Their advance toward Bab el-Mandeb adds another risk because Saudi Arabia has relied more heavily on Red Sea routes after disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

  Reuters reported that the Houthi advance could increase pressure on Saudi oil exports, while an attack from Iraq had also temporarily disrupted the East-West pipeline. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:10:01 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Houthis had 30,000 fighters in 2015. That number is now up to 3.5 lakh

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: A 2024 UN experts’ report estimated that Houthi recruitment could have reached 350,000 fighters, compared with about 30,000 in 2015. The panel cautioned that it could not independently verify the number of newly recruited fighters.

  The Houthis have also benefited from the weakness and fragmentation of their opponents. Anti-Houthi forces include groups with competing political and regional interests.

• 16 Sept 2026, 02:00:03 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Why airstrikes have not defeated the Houthis

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia began its military intervention in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis seized Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. Years of airstrikes failed to produce a decisive battlefield outcome.

  The US and UK later launched strikes against Houthi positions after attacks on Red Sea shipping. Yet the group survived and continued developing its missile and drone capabilities.

  The underlying problem is also geographical. Yemen’s mountains and large territory allow fighters and weapons infrastructure to be dispersed, making it difficult for air power alone to eliminate the group. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 01:36:56 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Oil slips from 4-month highs, Saudi risks remain

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Oil prices fell on Wednesday after US crude inventories unexpectedly rose, but Saudi supply concerns remained after the kingdom halted oil shipments from its Yanbu terminal following an attack on its East-West pipeline.

  Brent crude fell 0.86% to $107.82 a barrel, while WTI dropped 0.92% to $104.86. Oil had jumped more than $3 on Tuesday after the Saudi supply disruption. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 01:25:28 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Islamic group condemns ‘heinous’ attack on Mecca

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday condemned what it described as “heinous attacks” by the Houthi group on Makkah and the Madinah region, and expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

  In a statement, the OIC General Secretariat said the attacks were intended to “terrorise civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and provoke the feelings of Muslims around the world”.

  The organisation said attacks on holy sites, mosques and civilian objects constituted terrorism and contradicted Islamic values, international norms and laws. It said any violation of the sanctity of holy sites was unacceptable and required measures to deter those responsible.

  The OIC also backed measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect holy sites and civilians, as well as the kingdom’s security and sovereignty.

  The statement came after Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah or other Islamic holy sites.

  The incident came amid a fresh escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the Yemen-based group carrying out attacks on Saudi territory and advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait. (Al Jazeera)

• 16 Sept 2026, 01:14:11 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Did Iran help Yemen’s Houthis build an arsenal?

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: UN experts have documented extensive similarities between Houthi weapons and Iranian systems. The UN panel said the Houthis would not have been able to develop several complex weapons systems without foreign support.

  Iran denies arming the Houthis, but weapons and components linked to Iran have been intercepted in shipments bound for Yemen. The Houthis now operate ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and sophisticated anti-ship weapons.

  That arsenal has allowed the group to threaten Saudi Arabia, Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

• 16 Sept 2026, 01:06:48 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia, US, Israel tried air power. Why are the Houthis still stronger?

  Saudi Arabia LIVE updates: The Houthis have faced years of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and its allies, as well as US, British and Israeli attacks. Yet the group has continued to expand its military capabilities and territory.

  The reasons include Yemen’s difficult terrain, the fragmentation of forces fighting the Houthis, and outside military support. A 2024 UN experts’ report said the Houthis had recruited as many as 350,000 fighters, compared with an estimated 30,000 in 2015, although the UN said it could not independently verify the recruitment figure.

  The group has also developed an arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and anti-ship weapons. UN experts documented similarities between Houthi weapons and systems produced or operated by Iran and other Iran-aligned groups.

• 16 Sept 2026, 12:50:45 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: Saudi Arabia's options after Houthi escalation

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: Riyadh now faces several challenges at once: missile and drone attacks, threats to oil infrastructure, pressure on Red Sea shipping and the growing Houthi presence near Bab el-Mandeb. The government has indicated it will respond, while also seeking political support from countries including Egypt.

• 16 Sept 2026, 12:33:07 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: Yemen's humanitarian crisis worsens

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: The renewed fighting is also worsening Yemen's humanitarian situation. Recent clashes have killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands, according to international reporting. The fighting comes after years of war that have already left Yemen facing severe humanitarian needs.

• 16 Sept 2026, 12:18:33 PM IST

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: Mecca, Jeddah, Taif on alert amid Houthi attacks

  Saudi Arabia news LIVE: Saudi civil defence issued short-lived alerts in several western areas, including Mecca, Jeddah and Taif. Earlier alerts had also covered other regions including Yanbu, Abha and Jazan. Authorities later said the danger passed. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 12:05:45 PM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s oil route explained

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline carries crude from the kingdom’s eastern oil-producing areas to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Its importance has increased because the route allows Riyadh to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

• 16 Sept 2026, 11:50:14 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Pakistan PM condemns ‘heinous’ drone attack near Mecca

  I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
  
  The people of Pakistan are saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act. There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of…

  — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 16, 2026

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned a “dastardly and heinous” attempted drone attack against the holy city of Mecca and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

  On X, Shehbaz Sharif praised the Saudi armed forces for their “extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism” and said Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia in defending its sovereignty and the security of the Haramain Sharifain.

  “I once again call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to step back from the brink of further escalation,” Shehbaz said, adding that dialogue and diplomacy were the only sustainable path towards peace.

  Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the restricted airspace over the holy city. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki described the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims as a “red line”.

  The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah or other Islamic holy sites.

• 16 Sept 2026, 11:36:09 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Could the Red Sea become a global crisis?

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: The conflict has implications beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Bab el-Mandeb is a major maritime chokepoint, while the Red Sea connects to the Suez Canal. Prolonged disruption could affect shipping routes, energy supplies and trade between Asia, Europe and the Gulf. (AFP)

• 16 Sept 2026, 11:21:15 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Houthi gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: The Houthis have made significant gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the strategic port of Mokha and territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to recent reports. The advances have increased concerns over shipping through one of the world's important maritime routes.

• 16 Sept 2026, 11:10:53 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Houthis say they shot down a Saudi fighter jet

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Yemen's Houthi forces have claimed they shot down a Saudi fighter jet as fighting intensifies between the group and Saudi-backed forces.

• 16 Sept 2026, 11:03:43 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: How fighting started again

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces intensified again after a period of relative calm following the 2022 truce. The renewed fighting has also spread to Saudi territory, with the Houthis launching missile and drone attacks.

• 16 Sept 2026, 10:56:30 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Why the Houthi offensive matters for oil

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: The latest escalation has reached Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping routes. Earlier Houthi attacks disrupted operations at some Saudi energy facilities and caused fires, according to Saudi authorities. The threat has grown as the Red Sea becomes increasingly important for Saudi oil exports. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 10:41:47 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: 13 injured in Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Thirteen people were injured in Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, according to the Saudi-led coalition. Seven homes and two vehicles were also damaged. Saudi authorities later issued alerts across several regions, as per Iran International.

• 16 Sept 2026, 10:27:37 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Saudi-Houthi tensions rise after Mecca drone claim

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Houthi official Hazem al-Assad rejected Saudi Arabia's claim that the group sent a drone towards Mecca. He called the allegation a “worn-out lie”. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, said its air defences destroyed the drone before it entered Mecca's restricted airspace.

• 16 Sept 2026, 10:15:28 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Houthi drone near Mecca? What Saudi says happened

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE: Saudi Arabia's air defences said they intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city. Saudi coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki described Mecca's security as a “red line”. The Houthis denied targeting the city. (Reuters)

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:58:15 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Why Saudi needs Egypt as Houthi attacks intensify

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Egypt has a direct stake in Red Sea security. Houthi attacks on shipping have already affected traffic through the Suez Canal and reduced revenues for Cairo. That gives Egypt both an economic and diplomatic interest in keeping the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb open.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:44:07 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia’s old Houthi coalition is fractured. What changed?

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia launched its military intervention against the Houthis in 2015, but the coalition that Riyadh assembled has since fractured. The UAE has withdrawn from the war, while Saudi Arabia is now seeking political support as the Houthis make fresh territorial gains.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:28:25 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi oil faces a double blow

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia is facing pressure on both its oil infrastructure and export routes. The East-West Pipeline was damaged in an attack attributed by Saudi Arabia to drones originating from Iraq, while Houthi advances threaten Red Sea shipping. The pipeline is designed to help Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:15:06 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Why Bab el-Mandeb has become the new flashpoint

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a major route for ships moving between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Houthi territorial gains around the waterway have raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s ability to use the Red Sea as an alternative route for oil exports when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:09:52 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia turns to Egypt as Houthi attacks escalate

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo as Riyadh seeks wider regional support against escalating Houthi attacks.

  Both sides stressed the need to protect navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. Egypt did not announce military support, but Cairo could provide diplomatic backing among Arab countries.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:06:44 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi oil infrastructure comes under pressure

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia's 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline, which connects the kingdom's oil-producing region in the east to the Red Sea, was damaged in a separate attack that Riyadh blamed on an Iran-aligned group based in Iraq.

  The pipeline is particularly important because it provides Saudi Arabia with a way to export oil without relying entirely on the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely disrupted during the conflict.

  A prolonged shutdown could affect as much as 4% of global oil supply, according to traders cited by Reuters.

• 16 Sept 2026, 09:04:02 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Fighting moves closer to the Red Sea

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: One of the biggest developments is the Houthis' push towards Yemen's western coastline.

  The group has made gains around the Bab el-Mandeb, the narrow maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The strategic waterway is crucial for global shipping and is particularly important to Saudi Arabia because the kingdom uses routes through the Red Sea to move oil when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.

  Houthi forces have reportedly gained control of strategically important areas and islands around the Red Sea coast.

• 16 Sept 2026, 08:57:49 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia attacks Yemen

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: The Houthis say Saudi Arabia responded with a large number of airstrikes on Houthi-held territory.

  The group claimed that Saudi forces carried out 121 strikes over three days, followed by another claim of 54 airstrikes in a 12-hour period. Houthi media later reported additional strikes. These battlefield claims have not all been independently verified.

  The renewed Saudi strikes are part of a broader counteroffensive by forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government, which has been fighting to regain territory from the Houthis.

• 16 Sept 2026, 08:57:05 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: Houthis launched attacks inside Saudi Arabia

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: On September 8, the Houthis claimed a large-scale missile and drone operation against Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attacks targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Abha, Najran and Jizan, as well as Khamis Mushait Air Base. The group said the strikes were retaliation for Saudi attacks on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

  Saudi authorities confirmed attacks on energy-related facilities and other installations in the kingdom's south. Saudi officials said the attacks wounded at least 73 people, including women and children. Fires were also reported at oil installations and utility sites. (Al Jazeera)

• 16 Sept 2026, 08:56:12 AM IST

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: What has been happening?

  Saudi-Houthi conflict LIVE updates: The latest Saudi-Houthi escalation began with a deterioration in fighting inside Yemen after months of relative calm. The UN-brokered truce that halted large-scale fighting in 2022 had reduced the intensity of the Saudi-Houthi conflict, but clashes resumed in July and have intensified in recent weeks.