Saudi-led coalition launches operation against Yemen's Houthis

The coalition's warning came after it said it had intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies that had been launched towards the kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah.

 A HOUTHI fighter sits behind sandbags near a checkpoint in Sanaa, Yemen. (photo credit: MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI/REUTERS)
A HOUTHI fighter sits behind sandbags near a checkpoint in Sanaa, Yemen.
(photo credit: MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI/REUTERS)

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen on Saturday commenced a military operation to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," Saudi state media reported.

The coalition added that the operation is in its early stages and that Yemen's Houthis should bear the consequences of their "hostile behavior."

It added that the goal for the operation is to "protect global energy sources and ensure supply chains."

The coalition had said it will "directly deal with sources of threat" and asked civilians to avoid being near any oil site or facility in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Saudi state media had reported.

The coalition's warning came after it said it had intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies that had been launched towards the kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah.

 A view of an arch damaged by clashes is seen on the outskirts of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen November 13, 2021. Picture taken November 13, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/MANAL QAED)
A view of an arch damaged by clashes is seen on the outskirts of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen November 13, 2021. Picture taken November 13, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/MANAL QAED)

The coalition said it would spare civilian sites and avoid collateral damage at oil facilities.

Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said the coalition's warplanes launched raids on the city of Hodeidah and that flights are still going on, while residents told Reuters that raids were near the port of Hodeidah.

Al Masirah TV also said that the coalition attacked the electricity corporation and oil facilities in Hodeidah.

On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition said oil giant Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was hit by Houthi attacks, causing a fire in two storage tanks but no casualties.