Saudi-led coalition strikes oil station near Sanaa after warnings

Saudi Arabia struck an oil facility near Sanaa on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to Houthi media reports. An AFP correspondent in Sanaa heard a loud explosion from the site. Al-Masirah TV, a channel run by the Houthis, stated that Saudi aggression targeted the oil company located in Al-Sabaha, west of Sanaa. Prior to the strike, the Saudi-led coalition told civilians to clear out from the Al-Sabaha station near the Houthi-held capital. This station belongs to the Yemen Petroleum Company. The warning came after a series of deadly Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia, with a major focus on Riyadh airport.

Public Reaction

After the evacuation order, people in Sanaa rushed to form long queues at local fuel stations because they worried about a shortage of petrol. The Yemen Petroleum Company tried to calm the public by stating that it took all needed steps for an emergency to keep meeting people's needs. The company also noted that the targeted Al-Sabaha facilities did not hold any petrol at the time of the strike, so fuel stocks and supply chains would remain safe. Consumption stocks stay available in safe spots and in good quantities to last for a long time.

Context

Air strikes on fuel and energy infrastructure often happen during armed conflicts to disrupt supply lines or retaliate for cross-border attacks. When authorities issue evacuation warnings before a strike, residents frequently rush to buy essential goods like fuel out of fear that supplies will run out. Such incidents highlight the ongoing security tensions and civil risks in the region.