Saudi-led coalition strikes fuel facility near Sanaa, Houthi media report
In short
The Saudi-led coalition struck a YPC fuel storage facility outside Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on October 13, Houthi-run Al Masirah reported. YPC said the facility held no petroleum products and the strike did not affect stocks or supply chains.
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The Saudi-led coalition struck YPC's al-Sabaha (알사바하) central fuel storage facility on the outskirts of Sanaa on October 13, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah, as reported by Yonhap and Asia Economy. YPC said there were no petroleum products stored at the site and that the attack did not affect petroleum stocks or supply chains. Yonhap reported that the strike followed an urgent evacuation warning to civilians near the facility. [ 3 , 5 ]
The outlets described the strike as retaliation for recent Houthi attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. Asia Economy reported that an October 10 attack killed at least 13 people and injured about 300. An earlier Newsis report cited Saudi authorities saying 12 people had died and 309 were injured in the October 10 attack. The documents therefore give different death tolls. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
The Houthis warned of further attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. Their military spokesperson referred to Aramco's headquarters in the eastern city of Dhahran and refinery facilities in Riyadh. Asia Economy reported that the Houthis warned workers at the oil facilities to evacuate those areas. Yonhap reported that the Saudi cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had promised a strong response to the airport attack. [ 3 , 5 ]
US President Donald Trump alleged on Truth Social that the Houthis were acting on Iran's instructions to push up oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, Asia Economy reported. The outlet said Trump spoke with Mohammed bin Salman that day. Yonhap reported that Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan each discussed the situation with the crown prince by phone. Iran said it would seek to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, the outlets reported. [ 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The strike followed Houthi attacks on Riyadh's international airport, which Korean outlets reported had caused deaths and injuries. The Houthis warned of further retaliation against Saudi oil facilities.
Key facts
- Al Masirah reported a coalition strike on YPC's al-Sabaha (알사바하) central facility outside Sanaa. [ 3 , 5 ]
- YPC said no petroleum products were stored at the site and stocks and supply chains were unaffected. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Yonhap reported that the coalition issued an evacuation warning to nearby civilians before the strike. [ 3 ]
- The Houthis warned of attacks on Saudi oil facilities, including Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran and refinery facilities in Riyadh. [ 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The documents give different death tolls for the October 10 Riyadh attack. Newsis cited Saudi authorities reporting 12 deaths; Yonhap reported 13, while Asia Economy reported at least 13.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis reported explosions in Sanaa on the night of October 12 and Saudi statements about intercepted missiles. [ 2 ]
- Yonhap reported the coalition strike on the Sanaa fuel facility and threats of further retaliation. [ 3 ]
- Asia Economy reported the strike, YPC's statement and Trump's comments. [ 5 ]