Smoke seen near crucial Saudi oil pipeline as Houthi conflict escalates
- Satellite imagery has shown smoke near a crucial Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline, raising fears of further Houthi attacks on energy infrastructure.
- Houthi forces have seized the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following the withdrawal of Yemeni government troops.
- The rebels have also taken control of the mainland Red Sea coastal town of Dhubab and the strategic port city of Mokha.
- Oil prices rose to $108 a barrel as the escalation threatens vital global energy exports through key maritime chokepoints.
- Saudi Arabia remains heavily reliant on the Red Sea route for exports after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed due to conflict with Iran.
More bulletins