Nigeria speaks out against Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia

The Nigerian government has condemned the recent attack on Saudi Arabia by the Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis. This attack injured 73 people and damaged an oil facility.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday night. They warned that the ongoing crisis can affect regional stability and global energy supplies.

The ministry also mentioned that the escalation threatens Saudi Arabia's sovereignty.

Nigeria sees the “new hostilities” as a “serious threat.” They urged both sides to “uphold international law, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid further actions that could worsen the situation and endanger civilian lives.”

The Houthis targeted five cities in Riyadh and have also been attacking Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. After confirming the attack on Monday, the group said they aimed at Saudi Arabia’s state oil company in Abha, Najran, near the Yemeni border, and the Aramco facility in Jizan.

The group claimed they carried out a broad operation deep into Saudi Arabia using drones and missiles. They targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The effect on civilians shows that this might be one of the biggest attacks on Saudi Arabia in years. This comes after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. That led to retaliation against US interests in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Saudi authorities stated that women and children were among the 73 injured.

The Houthis and Saudi Arabia have been in a long conflict but had kept a ceasefire in recent years. Tensions increased after the US-Israel war on Iran. PREMIUM TIMES reports that a strike exchange in July opened a new chapter in the US-Iran conflict. The Houthis ended the truce after accusing Saudi Arabia of enforcing a blockade that worsened the economy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other areas under Houthi control.

Oil prices rose above $100 (£74) a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since July.

Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against the Houthis a day after the attack. On Wednesday, the Houthis reported over 30 Saudi strikes on different areas in Yemen.

“Saudi enemy aircraft launched 32 airstrikes on various areas across the governorates of Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz and Hodeidah in the past few hours,” the rebel group stated.