The price of Brent crude climbed sharply after Yemen’s Houthi rebel group said it had carried out attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities, pushing the international benchmark above $106 a barrel. Traders cited the claim by the Iran-aligned militia as a trigger for a renewed risk premium on oil from the Middle East.
The Houthi group, which controls large parts of Yemen and has repeatedly targeted Saudi interests in recent years, said it had successfully struck Aramco infrastructure in the kingdom. The announcement drew immediate attention from energy markets because Saudi Arabia and Aramco are central to global oil supply.
Market participants said the strike claim exacerbated existing geopolitical anxieties in the region and underscored how quickly news of potential disruptions can feed through to prices. Energy benchmarks are highly sensitive to developments that could threaten production, shipments or facilities in major producing countries.
Analysts said the next moves in pricing will depend on verification of the Houthi claim and any evidence of damage to production capacity or pipelines. Official statements from regional governments and Aramco, as well as any further actions by the group, are likely to influence short-term market direction.
Beyond immediate trading, the incident highlights the broader vulnerability of global energy markets to conflict in the Middle East. Observers noted that even unconfirmed attacks can prompt buyers and traders to factor in higher risk and potential supply-side tightness until the situation is clarified.