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Saudi coalition warns civilians to leave Sanaa oil site

The Saudi-led coalition issued an evacuation warning around an oil facility in Sanaa ahead of a planned operation. The Houthis threatened retaliation against Saudi targets. The exchange comes amid continuing airport disruption and competing claims about missile and drone attacks, with civilian safety at risk.

From 14 October 2026 — Daily Brief

The Saudi-led coalition has warned civilians to leave an oil facility in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, ahead of a planned military operation, prompting Houthi threats of retaliation against Saudi Arabia.

The warning on 13 October concerned the Yemen Petroleum Company’s Sabaha Central Station. Coalition spokesman Turki Al Malki described preparations for an operation, while Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree threatened a response if the capital was targeted.

The coalition also said it had intercepted three drones north of Riyadh. That interception claim and the Houthis’ competing accounts of attacks are statements by the parties to the conflict.

The confrontation has already disrupted international travel. Saudi authorities have extended the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport until 17 October, and airlines have cancelled or suspended affected services.

The latest exchange raises the prospect of further attacks on oil infrastructure and transport facilities. It does not establish that every threatened strike has occurred or that the planned Sanaa operation has been completed.

The evacuation warning concerns people near a specific site, rather than an instruction for the entire city to leave. Subsequent developments will determine the operation’s scope and its consequences for civilians.

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