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Saudi Arabia intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles as renewed attacks raised concerns over oil supplies and pushed crude prices higher.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward areas including Taif and Yanbu, as renewed attacks heightened concerns about disruptions to regional oil supplies. The Saudi-led coalition said the missiles were intercepted before they could cause reported damage, while the Houthis said they had targeted what they described as a sensitive site in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
The attacks have added pressure to an already disrupted regional energy market. Yanbu, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, is an important alternative route for the kingdom’s oil exports at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains affected by the wider conflict. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline has also only recently resumed operations following drone attacks earlier this month.
Oil prices responded sharply to the latest developments. Brent crude settled at $106.60 a barrel on Thursday, September 24, after rising $3.52, or 3.4%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 2.7% to $94.61. Prices had risen as much as about 5% during the session before easing after reports that the United States and Iran were discussing the possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation comes as the Houthis maintain pressure along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and have declared a naval blockade targeting Saudi shipping. Yemen’s internationally recognized government has urged other countries to help counter the group, warning that control of territory near the Bab el-Mandeb waterway could create wider risks for international trade and energy security.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are also due to hold an urgent meeting of their military chiefs to discuss support under their joint defense agreement, according to Saudi officials. The agreement provides for an armed attack on one of the three countries to be treated as an attack on all three.
Sources/verification: Reporting cross-checked against Reuters, Associated Press, The Guardian, Saudi Press Agency, Al Jazeera and other current reports published Sept. 24–25, 2026. (Reuters)