Houthis

Driven by a new round of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian energy infrastructure, international crude oil prices climbed rapidly on September 8, approaching the psychologically important $100-per-barrel threshold. Both Brent and WTI hit one-year highs, lifting risk aversion across global energy markets and pressuring Western equities and emerging-market currencies.

Saudi Arabia accused Yemen’s Houthis on September 8 of striking multiple civilian cities and energy facilities inside Saudi territory, wounding 73 people and igniting fires at several energy sites. The Saudi government vowed to respond, marking a renewed escalation in regional tensions and raising international concerns about Middle East energy security and conflict spillover.