Attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels wounded at least 73 people and halted operations at some energy facilities on Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and the Saudi Energy Ministry said, writes ABC News.

Fires erupted at a number of energy sites and several people were injured as emergency teams rushed to contain the blazes and assess the damage, the Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement.

The Iran-backed Houthis attacked the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, the coalition said in a statement. It described the latest attacks as a “dangerous escalation”, vowing to respond. “The coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach”, coalition spokesperson Col. Turki al-Malki said in a statement published on X.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry affirmed the kingdom's right to “take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, safeguard its national resources and preserve the security and safety of its citizens and residents on its territory. It will not tolerate any attack targeting its territory or national resources, in accordance with the rules of international law”.