Operations at some energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, were halted on Tuesday following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that wounded 73 people, in what Saudi authorities described as a dangerous escalation.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the “terrorist Houthi militia’s targeting of civilian and economic” sites in the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.

The ministry said the attacks resulted in 73 civilians being injured, including women and children.

Fires erupted at the sites and several people were injured as firefighting and other emergency teams rushed to contain the blazes and assess the damage, the Saudi energy ministry said.

It added that the authorities concerned were dealing with the repercussions of the attacks.

“The needed measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the facilities and workers and the continuation of work according to the approved operational plans,” said the ministry.

The Saudi foreign ministry said Riyadh would “take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty”.

It also called for an “immediate halt to all forms of escalation practised by this militia”, as well as Houthi attacks on shipping.

The flare-up in violence between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis came as tensions mounted between the United States and Iran as the wider Middle East conflict sent oil prices soaring with diplomatic negotiations stalling.

Brent crude futures rose $1 to $98 per barrel after the Saudi energy ministry statement, while US crude futures rose over $2 to $93.65 per barrel.

On Monday, the Financial Times said Aramco’s Jazan oil facilities were hit in new strikes, and the damage was being assessed. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report and Aramco has not commented.

The Houthi military spokesperson said the group will announce in the coming hours a broad operation deep into Saudi territory. Spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Monday that Riyadh had taken “escalatory steps” by conducting airstrikes on Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition did not announce any recent strikes on Yemen, but the Yemeni government has in recent days mounted an offensive on multiple fronts against the Houthis in Yemen.

The coalition vowed to respond firmly to the latest outbreak of hostilities, saying the latest escalation against the de facto Opec leader was “dangerous”.

“The coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach,” Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement on X.

The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen and much of the north, have been launching attacks towards Saudi Arabia since they declared a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting its vessels in the Red Sea.

Pakistan condemns attack

After the latest attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a condemnation and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly attack by Houthis targeting civilian and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which have left many people injured,” he posted on X.

The premier added that Pakistan stood in “unwavering solidarity” with the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia.

“Such dastardly attacks threaten innocent lives as well as regional peace and security. We reaffirm our steadfast support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office issued a statement condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the “reprehensible” attacks carried out by the Yemeni Houthis against targets in Saudi Arabia.

Terming the attacks “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the kingdom”, the FO added that they threaten peace and stability in the region and undermine efforts to ensure a peaceful and durable resolution of the conflict in Yemen.

“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and stands in complete solidarity with the leadership, Government and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the FO said, conveying Pakistan’s wishes for the swift and full recovery of those injured in the attacks.

“Consistent with the UN Charter and international law, Pakistan fully supports the kingdom’s legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend its territory, protect its citizens and residents and safeguard its national assets against any threat,” the statement read. “Pakistan has been and will continue to make all efforts for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.”

Pakistan had condemned previous Houthis’ threats to Saudi Arabia and to trading with the kingdom via the Red Sea. It also warned that it had the right to self-defence if its “maritime interests” were targeted in “any hostile act”.

In late July, Saudi Arabia unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition to protect shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea. Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, had voiced support for the coalition.

Last month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye also signed a joint defence agreement under which an attack against one of them would be treated as an attack against all of them.

The Yemeni threat to shipping and Saudi oil facilities comes in parallel with Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has become the central flashpoint between Tehran and Washington amid efforts to end the Middle East war begun by the US and Israel in February.