Saudi Arabia has pledged a firm response to Houthi missile and drone attacks that wounded 13 people and forced the temporary closure of a major oil pipeline.

Saudi Arabia has vowed a firm response to recent missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthi fighters, which wounded 13 people and caused damage to civilian infrastructure. The assaults included a large-scale strike on the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait and prompted temporary air-raid alerts in several regions, including Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif. In response, the Riyadh-led coalition has conducted over 50 airstrikes against Houthi-held areas.

Oil Pipeline Disruption and Repair Outlook

The attacks forced the temporary closure of Saudi Arabia's 1,200-km East-West Pipeline, a critical route that has moved 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day—roughly 4% to 5% of global supply—during the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Tuesday that oil flow should resume within days, though other sources cited by Reuters offered varying estimates, with some suggesting repairs could take five to six weeks.

Escalating Conflict in Yemen and Saudi Arabia

The Houthis have intensified their offensive since Yemen's civil war reignited in July, recently seizing control of the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group claims to have targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, contributing to global oil prices rising above $100. While the Saudi-led coalition has pledged to take necessary operational measures to deter the attacks, reports indicate that previous airstrikes have not yet halted the Houthi offensive.