Story perspectives

Houthis Launch Drones at Saudi Aramco’s Jizan Refinery

8/14/2026

Center

Houthi Drone Attack

Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched two drones at Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
U.N. special envoy Hans Grundberg told the Security Council Yemen now faces its highest risk of large-scale conflict since the 2022 truce.
A Yemeni government soldier was killed in fighting with Houthi forces in Taiz province.
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said six million Yemenis face emergency-level food insecurity, highest globally.

Left

Houthis Drone Attack

Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched two drones at Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
The Houthis say Saudi Arabia is using al-Makah port to resupply forces, framing their strikes as pre-emptive.
The strikes killed civilians in al-Makha and six seafarers, three of them Pakistanis.
Analysts warn escalation could push Yemen toward all-out war, worsening humanitarian crisis since World War II.

History

Historical Context

After the Houthi takeover of Sanaa in late 2014, Saudi Arabia led a nine-nation coalition that launched Operation Decisive Storm on 26 March 2015 to restore President Hadi and curb Iran-backed rebels. The campaign’s air raids, including a 4 September strike that killed 52 UAE troops, sparked a humanitarian disaster. In 2024 Houthi drones again hit Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery, echoing the earlier strategy of targeting energy assets.

1 of 3

Houthi Drone Attack

Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched two drones at Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
U.N. special envoy Hans Grundberg told the Security Council Yemen now faces its highest risk of large-scale conflict since the 2022 truce.
A Yemeni government soldier was killed in fighting with Houthi forces in Taiz province.
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said six million Yemenis face emergency-level food insecurity, highest globally.

1 / 3