Houthi missile strike on Aramco fuels oil market jitters as US holds secret Camp David talks
Yemen's Houthi rebels hit Saudi Aramco sites near Riyadh with missiles and drones, raising oil market concerns, while a covert Camp David meeting of senior US officials discussed possible larger actions against Iran and the Houthis.
Houthi fighters in Yemen confirmed striking Saudi Aramco installations near the capital Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones, igniting fires and warning that Saudi indifference to Yemeni blood would be costly. The group said the attacks were retaliation for recent Saudi air raids on their capital Sana’a and for looming large-scale offensives aimed at seizing the strategic Red Sea port city of Taiz. Images released by the Houthis showed the damage and underscored their message of a high price for continued aggression.
In parallel, US officials held a secret meeting at Camp David, reportedly chaired by Vice President Τζέι Ντι Βανς and attended by foreign minister Μάρκο Ρούμπιο, defense secretary Πιτ Χέγκσεθ, White House envoy Στιβ Γουίτκοφ, CIA director Τζον Ράτκλιφ and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Νταν Κέιν. The discussion focused on possible next steps in the war against Iran and the Houthis, including a potential large-scale operation and US participation in a new Saudi campaign following the capture of Mocha and the Red Sea coastline by Houthi forces.
Why it matters
The strikes threaten global oil supplies and could trigger broader US and Saudi military escalation in Yemen.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Renewed Yemen fighting forces over 46,000 people from their homes
- Sep 23 Ethiopian Airlines posted a flight suspension following the reported airport seizure.
- Sep 25 Trump publicly voiced support for Saudi self‑reliance against Houthi attacks.
- Sep 25 The UAE has not confirmed an official ban despite the cancellation of Iranian flights to Dubai.
- Sep 25 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on active-duty personnel and eligible relatives to register and request ballots ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
- Sep 27 Government forces launched intensified air and ground attacks in Taiz province.
- Sep 27 France announced a military mission to Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 2 The United States granted an exemption permitting Iraqi Airways to resume pilgrim flights to Iran.
- Oct 2 Saudi Arabia has moved from planning to actively preparing a large‑scale offensive to retake the Bab el‑Mandeb strait.
- Oct 3 TPLF forces are withdrawing from Mekelle as federal troops advance toward the capital.
- Oct 4 Speaker Mike Johnson ended the House’s final day of session, halting the impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Hegseth.
- Oct 4 Government forces claimed that over 1,500 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded in a day of intensified combat across Taiz province. Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili said the attacks involved air strikes, drones, artillery and missiles targeting rebel positions and command centres. The al-Houban crossing, a key supply route, was shut for security reasons after alleged infiltration attempts. The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of civilians, with Taiz hosting the largest number of displaced families. The conflict, which reignited after a fragile truce collapsed, continues to shape the strategic balance in Yemen.
- Oct 4 Houthis captured al‑Safiya district and blocked the Taiz‑Aden supply corridor.
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