The Maldivian government has condemned Tuesday’s attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting energy facilities and several cities across Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as an attempt to undermine regional peace and stability. The statement further affirmed the Maldives' support for the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to defend itself against such provocations.
The Houthi strikes follow warnings from Iran regarding potential threats to Gulf energy infrastructure and U.S. oil and gas interests, following maritime skirmishes in the region last weekend. In the wake of these attacks, global oil prices have surged to their highest levels in six weeks.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy reported that firefighters and emergency response teams are working to contain blazes at several energy installations. The ministry also confirmed that a number of individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incidents.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen stated that at least 73 people were injured in the attacks, which targeted four cities in southern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and its most populous regions, have been targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea since declaring a maritime blockade against Riyadh last July.
