Oil prices jumped sharply on Thursday as traders reacted to a new wave of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces on targets inside Saudi Arabia, reigniting concerns about potential disruptions to crude supplies from one of the world’s most important energy-exporting regions.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose approximately 2.9–3.1% to trade near **$112 per barrel**, its highest level since mid-May. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained about 2.5% to around **$99.60**, briefly approaching the $100 mark during the session.
The price spike followed reports of multiple Houthi attacks on Wednesday. A drone was intercepted near Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Empty Quarter; debris from the interception struck a vehicle, killing two people and injuring others. Saudi authorities stated that operations at the field, which produces roughly one million barrels per day, were unaffected.
Separately, an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed at least one person and injured several others. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for a series of recent strikes on Saudi energy, airport, and military sites.
In response to the heightened security risks, the U.S. State Department ordered some diplomats and family members to leave American missions in Saudi Arabia and is considering similar measures at other regional posts.
Brent has now gained roughly 80% so far this year, driven largely by the prolonged conflict in the region that has repeatedly disrupted flows through critical chokepoints.
