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// DOSSIER — houthi-attacks-saudi-oil-infrastructure-red-sea-blockade
Houthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Infrastructure and Red Sea Blockade (July 2026)
REL_TIME: 28 Jul 2026 07:12Z · LANG: EN
In late July 2026, Yemen's Houthi rebels (Ansar Allah) launched a series of drone and missile strikes against Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure, including the Jizan refinery, Yanbu export terminal, and Abqaiq processing facilities. These attacks, coupled with a Houthi-declared naval blockade in the Red Sea, have driven Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel. While the Houthis claim responsibility as retaliation for Saudi incursions, Riyadh has also attributed some strikes to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The escalation threatens Saudi Arabia's primary alternative export route, the East-West Pipeline, which was utilized to bypass the closed Strait of Hormuz, effectively trapping Saudi oil exports between two hostile chokepoints.
// Background
The conflict escalated after Saudi Arabia bombed Sanaa international airport on July 13, 2026, to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, shattering a 2022 truce. Saudi Arabia had been relying on the 1,200km East-West Pipeline (Petroline) to Yanbu to export oil because Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Houthi blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb strait creates a 'strategic trap,' as Yanbu-loaded tankers must pass through Houthi-controlled waters to reach global markets.
// Key Developments
- Brent crude oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel for the first time since May 2026 following the attacks.
- Houthi strikes caused confirmed fires at the Jizan refinery, which processes 400,000 barrels of crude per day.
- Saudi air defenses, operated by Greek personnel, intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting the Yanbu export terminal.
- The Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, successfully targeting the tankers Encelia and Layla in the Red Sea.
- US President Donald Trump threatened to use frozen Iranian assets (estimated at $124B-$167B) to pay for maritime damages.
- Satellite imagery confirmed smoke rising from the Abqaiq oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province following drone strikes.
// Timeline
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Saudi Arabia bombs Sanaa airport, ending a fragile truce that had held since April 2022.
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Houthis declare a full naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.
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Houthis strike Saudi tankers Encelia and Layla in the Red Sea; Brent crude tops $100 per barrel.
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Jizan refinery set on fire by Houthi drones; missiles targeting Yanbu are intercepted by Greek-operated defenses.
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Houthis claim strikes on Abqaiq and oil supply lines; Saudi Defense Ministry blames Iraqi-based militias for drone incursions.
// Perspectives
[Ansar Allah (Houthis)]
Claims the attacks are a 'blockade for a blockade' in retaliation for Saudi military actions and the bombing of Sanaa airport.
[Saudi Arabia]
Blames 'Iranian-affiliated terrorist militias' in Iraq for strikes on Riyadh and the Eastern Province while engaging in a 'proportionate military response' against Houthi targets.
[United States]
Holds Iran responsible for Houthi actions and has conducted 13 consecutive nights of airstrikes against Iranian military targets.
[Iran]
Condemns US threats to seize assets as an 'incendiary precedent' and warns that attacks on its infrastructure will meet a 'severe and escalatory' response.
// Quotes
“A number of sensitive sites and points related to the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu were targeted by a number of drones in response to the Saudi enemy’s drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.”
“These damages may be very substantial, but nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do.”
“The Saudi fabrications are an attempt to justify its inability to respond to the painful Yemeni strikes that reached deep into their infrastructure.”
