Ras Tanura:Riyadh Yemen's Houthi group announced on Tuesday that it launched a ballistic missile targeting the Ras Tanura oil refinery located in eastern Saudi Arabia.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on the US social media platform X that the missile successfully hit its target, causing significant fires at the refinery. However, there has been no immediate response from Saudi authorities regarding these claims.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Civil Defense activated early warning alerts in the regions of Najran, Abha, and Khamis Mushait due to a potential threat. The alerts were later deactivated after the danger was declared over, though no specific details about the threat were disclosed.

This incident is part of an ongoing military escalation between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen's internationally recognized government. The Saudi-led coalition reported earlier on Tuesday that it had intercepted four drones and three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Saudi territory.

Since July, the Houthis have increased their attacks on Saudi Arabia, with a focus on missile and drone strikes against civilian airports, oil facilities, and military sites. This escalation continues to exacerbate tensions in the region. Saudi Arabia has been leading a military coalition against the Houthis since March 2015, and the group has been accused of receiving support from Iran, controlling Yemen's capital Sanaa and other regions since September 2014.