Houthi Attack on Saudi Arabia's Najran Province Kills 11 Civilians as Brent Crude Jumps Above $83

According to Reuters, reported by Oilprice.com on Friday, 16 Mordad 1405 (August 7, 2026), a spokesman for the Saudi led military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said Houthi forces struck Saudi Arabia's southern Najran province, killing 11 civilians. A senior Saudi official cited by Reuters said the Houthis and Iran affiliated Iraqi groups are planning a coordinated attack on Saudi civilian targets, including energy infrastructure and ports. The Houthis have also targeted two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea over the past week, and on Thursday, 15 Mordad (August 6), claimed an attack on Saudi forces in Yemen.

The escalation comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier last week that a deal was within reach and that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen as early as Wednesday, 14 Mordad (August 5), a timeline that has not materialized. Oilprice.com reported that the developments pushed Brent crude back above $80 on Friday, 16 Mordad, trading around $83.80 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $78.33. ING commodity analysts wrote in a note that despite clear signs of progress in recent days, the tone of the talks and growing distrust between the US and Iran mean the situation could again go from bad to worse.