Saudi oil facilities repeatedly attacked, exports continue to decline; UK and France plan to provide military support.

Recently, Saudi Arabia's Yanbu oil facilities have been attacked multiple times, leading to a critical shortage of air defense interceptors and requests for assistance from several countries. The latest data released by the country shows that oil exports in July have dropped to a new low.

On the 24th, French President Macron announced that France would send troops and deploy radar and defense systems to protect the oil facilities at Yanbu Port on Saudi Arabia's west coast, in order to stabilize oil supply and control rising oil prices, while emphasizing that France would not participate in the conflict.

The UK had previously also committed to providing "defensive" air refueling support, with the Royal Air Force planning to deploy Voyager refueling aircraft.

Additionally, senior military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey held talks in Riyadh to discuss deepening cooperation among the three countries' armed forces, while the Houthi forces warned Turkey and Pakistan not to intervene in the conflict.

The Houthi forces claim to have attacked multiple targets in Saudi Arabia

Including oil facilities

According to news from the Houthi forces in Yemen on the 24th, the organization launched attacks that day on a "sensitive target" in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the Saudi Aramco facility in the western city of Yanbu, and several military targets in the southwestern Jizan region.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on social media on the evening of the 24th that the organization used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones in the operations in Riyadh and Yanbu, but did not disclose any casualties.

The statement also mentioned that since the escalation of the situation, Saudi Arabia has launched F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets from air force bases in the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait and the western city of Taif against Houthi-controlled areas, and missiles have been launched from Najran and Jizan, with a total of 1,018 attacks on provinces such as Marib, Saada, Taiz, Al-Jawf, and Al-Bayda.

Saree stated in the announcement that the Houthi forces would continue to respond to Saudi military actions.

Earlier that day, the Houthi forces stated in another announcement that the organization had launched a large-scale attack on multiple military targets in the Jizan region of Saudi Arabia using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. The attacks "resulted in hundreds of casualties" and destroyed and ignited several weapon depots.

The Saudi-led coalition stated earlier on the 24th that the Saudi air defense system intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi forces, thwarting their attempts to attack Taif and Yanbu. Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki stated that they would "respond resolutely" to the actions of the Houthi forces escalating the situation.

Senior military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey discuss deepening armed forces cooperation

The Houthi forces previously warned against intervention in the conflict

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey: Firmly maintain Saudi security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity

The Pakistan Armed Forces' Media Wing issued a statement on the 25th, introducing the details of the high-level military meeting held in Riyadh among the three countries under the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement."

The statement said that on the 25th local time, a meeting of the defense chiefs and chiefs of staff of the member countries of the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" was held in Riyadh, focusing on the current security situation and threats faced by Saudi Arabia. The parties strongly condemned the attacks on Mecca and Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, and discussed further deepening cooperation among the three countries' armed forces, including enhancing intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration to improve deterrence and collective defense levels.

The statement noted that the meeting held in Riyadh reflects the strength of the defense partnership among the three countries and the shared willingness to immediately translate the commitments under the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" into practical military cooperation.

The parties reiterated their commitment to collective defense and stated that the three countries would firmly maintain the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on the 25th indicating that Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal, and Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the 24th. The three foreign ministers strongly condemned the attacks on Mecca and Saudi civilian and economic facilities, expressing support for Saudi Arabia to take appropriate measures to maintain national security.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the "Joint Strategic Defense Agreement" in September 2025, which is seen as a military alliance between the two sides. In the context of the escalating situation in the Middle East due to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and its spillover effects, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, along with Turkey, signed the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" on August 7 in Mecca. The agreement stipulates that any armed attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all three.

The Houthi forces previously warned Turkey and Pakistan not to intervene in the conflict

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned Turkey and Pakistan on the evening of the 21st not to intervene in the escalating conflict between the Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia.

In a televised speech broadcast on Houthi-controlled Masirah TV, Abdul-Malik stated that as the conflict with the Houthi forces escalates, Saudi Arabia is seeking military support from Turkey and Pakistan. He urged both countries not to "get involved" in the conflict for political or economic interests with Saudi Arabia.

When discussing the possibility of easing the situation, Abdul-Malik stated that the Houthi forces have not set "impossible conditions" and reiterated their demand for Saudi Arabia to cease military operations and the "blockade" against the organization.

Furthermore, he continued to mobilize his supporters in his speech, stating that in the context of the escalating conflict, the organization would continue to strengthen its military capabilities.

The UK and France will provide military support to Saudi Arabia

Macron states troops will be sent to protect Saudi Yanbu oil facilities

French President Macron stated on the 24th that France would send troops to protect the oil facilities at Yanbu Port on Saudi Arabia's west coast from attacks by the Houthi forces in Yemen, in order to stabilize oil supply and control rising oil prices.

In a joint interview with two French television stations, Macron said that France has completed relevant discussions with Saudi Arabia, and France will send soldiers and deploy radar, defense systems, and other military forces, while adjusting the air force stationed in the Middle East according to the changing situation. He emphasized that this move is to protect the oil facilities in Yanbu, not to participate in the related conflict.

The UK will provide "defensive" military support to Saudi Arabia

Previously, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on the 21st that the UK would provide "defensive" air refueling support to Saudi Arabia in response to recent attacks by the Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia.

Burnham stated that Saudi Arabia had requested military support, and after consulting with UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, he agreed to this request.

It is reported that the relevant actions are expected to begin in the coming days, with the Royal Air Force deploying a Voyager refueling aircraft to provide air refueling support for Saudi aircraft performing defensive missions. UK officials stated that this arrangement is temporary and is initially expected to last for several weeks.

Air defense firepower is critical, oil exports drop to a new low

Saudi Arabia seeks assistance from multiple sources

Air defense firepower is critical, Saudi Arabia seeks assistance from multiple sources

Earlier reports indicated that as the Houthi forces have recently intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Saudi air defense interceptors have dwindled, prompting the country to seek assistance from Middle Eastern and Western allies.

Several officials in the Middle East stated that Saudi Arabia has requested air defense support from France, the UK, Pakistan, and Egypt to help defend against missiles and drones launched by the Houthi forces and other armed groups.

One official stated that Saudi Arabia is currently in a "very difficult situation," needing to protect not only military bases and important government facilities but also oil facilities across the country. Other reports indicated that to avoid disruption of oil supplies, Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest oil exporters, has even unusually requested support from Israel, with which it has not yet established diplomatic relations.

Saudi oil exports in July dropped to a new low

The Saudi Arabian General Authority for Statistics released data on the 24th showing that both the value of oil exports and total exports in July continued to decline, reaching their lowest levels since May 2025 and June 2021, respectively.

According to reports citing this data, Saudi Arabia's oil exports in July amounted to 59.888 billion riyals (approximately 15.9 billion USD), a decrease of 12.8% compared to the same period last year, marking the lowest since May 2025. The total value of Saudi exports in July was 84.379 billion riyals (22.4 billion USD), a year-on-year decrease of 17.2%, the lowest since June 2021. The proportion of oil exports in Saudi total exports fell from 71.7% in June to 71% in July.

Saudi Arabia's imports in July also decreased to 70.015 billion riyals (18.6 billion USD), with a year-on-year decline of 15.4%.

Industry insiders analyzed that the decline in Saudi oil export value is mainly due to the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran at the end of February, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been continuously obstructed, severely affecting Saudi crude oil exports. In this context, Saudi Arabia has increased "east oil to west delivery," transporting crude oil from its eastern oil fields to Yanbu Port on the west coast via pipeline, and exporting through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. However, on July 20, the Houthi forces announced a "maritime blockade" against Saudi Arabia, threatening the shipping routes for Saudi oil exports from the Red Sea.

Reporter丨Zhang Yun