Saudi Arabia faces rising oil security threat from Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia is confronting a growing security risk to its oil operations as Houthi attacks and territorial moves near Yemen’s Red Sea coast raise concerns about access to a key shipping route, according to a regional analyst cited by Fox News Digital. Hussain AbdulHussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the pressure on Saudi oil infrastructure is the most serious threat the kingdom has faced since its founding. He argued that the situation reflects wider regional tensions involving Iran, which he said may be backing the Houthis to increase pressure on Saudi Arabia. The report said Saudi Arabia recently shut part of its EastWest oil pipeline after a drone attack from Iraq and later intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca. The article also noted that the Red Sea corridor and the Bab elMandeb Strait remain important for energy shipments and global trade. A U.S. official said Washington remains focused on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea while encouraging regional partners to handle their own security challenges. The White House has continued discussions with Saudi Arabia and Yemen as tensions remain high.