Explosions were heard in the Yemeni capital after civilians were told to leave an oil facility, but the main account of the strike comes from Houthi media.
Sanaa strikes were reported on Tuesday after the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia ordered civilians to leave an oil facility in the Houthi controlled capital of Yemen. An AFP correspondent in Sanaa heard an explosion, and Houthi media said Saudi Arabia hit the Yemen Oil Company site. Coverage reviewed by Tamrah News did not include a coalition statement confirming a completed attack.
Saudi Coalition Issues Evacuation Warning for Sanaa Oil Site
According to AFP, coalition spokesman Major General Turki al Maliki asked civilians on X to leave the Yemen Petroleum Company’s Al Sabaha Central Station in Sanaa, and he attached a satellite image of the site. The map showed a location on the outskirts of the city, Naharnet reported. France 24 said it was the first evacuation order the coalition has issued for Sanaa since the war flared up again in July.
CBS News reported that the coalition described the plan as a “targeted operation.” That wording points to one site rather than an offensive on the whole city.
Explosions Heard, but Houthi Media Are the Main Source
Al Jazeera’s team in Sanaa reported hearing explosions shortly after the order, and Houthi affiliated media said air strikes hit an oil facility in the Al Sabaha area. Naharnet noted that the Houthi linked channel Al Masirah gave no evidence for its claim. Al Jazeera added that Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said his fighters were confronting forces backed by Saudi Arabia in Sanaa.
Houthis Threaten Riyadh Airport and Aramco Facilities
Al Jazeera reported that the Houthis told employees and civilians near Saudi oil facilities to leave, calling the sites legitimate targets. Saree also warned that any attack on the capital would bring a “harsh and painful” response in Riyadh. According to France 24, the group also threatened Riyadh airport, which it has struck several times in the past week.
Background: A Widening Yemen Conflict
The latest Houthi attack claims and Saudi airstrikes follow days of rising tension. Gulf News reported that the coalition intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh on Monday night, while the Houthis said they targeted King Khalid International Airport. CBS News said a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi airports over the past week killed at least 20 people. That figure was not found in other coverage.
Al Jazeera linked the attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites to the wider regional conflict between the United States and Iran. It also said Saudi Arabia is backing a Yemeni government counteroffensive called “Dawn of Yemen” after the Houthis seized coastal territory last month. Earlier, Houthi authorities accused Saudi Arabia of striking two Sanaa districts around midnight, and the Houthi run health ministry reported one death and 12 injuries, according to CBS News. The French embassy in Saudi Arabia also advised citizens to avoid the Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports, Dawn reported.
Readers can follow earlier reporting in our Yemen conflict coverage and our Middle East news section.
Have the Sanaa Strikes Been Confirmed?
Three points are established. The coalition issued the evacuation warning, AFP and Al Jazeera heard explosions in Sanaa, and the Houthis threatened Aramco facilities and Riyadh airport. The identity of the attacker, the damage at the Sanaa oil facility and any casualties rest mainly on Houthi media claims. No independent confirmation was found.
FAQs
What are the Sanaa strikes and why did the Saudi coalition issue an evacuation warning?
The Sanaa strikes refer to reported attacks on a Yemen Petroleum Company site west of the capital. The Saudi coalition told civilians to leave the Al Sabaha station before what it called a targeted operation, according to CBS News and AFP.
Has the Saudi coalition confirmed the Sanaa oil facility strike?
Not in the coverage reviewed. The strike claim came from Houthi media, while AFP’s correspondent reported hearing an explosion.
How have the Houthis responded to the Saudi airstrikes in Sanaa?
They warned civilians near Aramco facilities to leave and threatened Riyadh in reply, according to Al Jazeera.
Is Riyadh airport at risk from a new Houthi attack?
Houthis have threatened Riyadh airport, which they struck several times last week. The French embassy has told its citizens to avoid three Saudi airports.
What is the latest on the Yemen conflict in Sanaa?
The Yemen conflict has escalated since July. The coalition’s evacuation warning and the Houthi threats to Saudi oil sites are the newest developments in Sanaa.
