Saudi-led coalition strikes Houthi fuel sites in Yemen as drone attack sparks fire at Aramco building

The confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement escalated further on Tuesday, 13 October. A Saudi-led coalition said it struck oil sites in western Yemen that it accused the group of using to fuel its missile and drone campaign, while the Houthis kept up attacks on Saudi territory.

Strikes on Yemeni oil facilities

According to CBS News, the coalition confirmed strikes on oil sites in several areas, including Sanaa, Dhamar and Saada, after first warning civilians to leave part of the capital ahead of what it called a targeted operation. Al Jazeera reported that a central station of the Yemeni Oil Company in Sanaa was among the targets. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the Houthis had used the site and its underground depots to store missiles and drones. The state oil company said its storage was empty and supplies would not be affected, though queues formed at some fuel stations.

Separately, forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognised government said they carried out nine air strikes on Houthi positions in Taiz governorate, where ground fighting is continuing.

Houthi attacks on Saudi targets

Saudi authorities reported a limited fire at an administrative building at an Aramco facility in the Eastern Province after a Houthi attack, with no injuries reported. Over Riyadh, debris from intercepted missiles fell on homes, injuring four people and damaging 15 houses, according to Saudi Civil Defense. The coalition also said it intercepted several drones and missiles aimed at the capital and other regions.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described Saudi oil installations as legitimate targets and urged people near them to move away, warning of retaliation against Riyadh if Sanaa was hit. The Saudi cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said the Houthis would face consequences.

The latest exchanges follow a weekend missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that killed at least 13 people. CBS News reported that the airport's suspension has been extended through 17 October, while Jeddah and Dammam remain open with delays.

Why it matters for India

The Gulf is home to millions of Indian workers and is central to India's oil imports. Al Jazeera reported that Air India was among several carriers that suspended flights to Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries. Any lasting disruption to Saudi energy facilities or regional air travel could affect fuel prices and travel plans for Indian families. US President Donald Trump said the Houthis were behaving "very badly" but declined to say whether Washington would join the Saudi campaign.