Oil rises as Houthi attacks fuel supply concerns

Oil prices rose on Thursday as attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement in Saudi Arabia heightened concerns about a wider regional conflict and possible disruptions to crude supplies. The gains came as the United States ordered nonessential staff and family members at its embassy in Riyadh to leave Saudi Arabia. Brent crude futures were reported at $110.75 a barrel, up $1.93, or 1.77%, in a Thursday morning market snapshot. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $98.58, up $1.43, or 1.47%. Earlier snapshots put Brent at $110.11 and WTI at $98.12, reflecting different observation times during trading. Both benchmarks had moved higher; the figures were not closing prices. The State Department order was issued Wednesday for nonessential staff and their families at the Riyadh embassy. US officials also said family members would be withdrawn from several other regional missions. A State Department spokesman said the Houthis had increasingly attacked Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports and critical infrastructure, causing civilian casualties and travel disruption. Reports said Houthi attacks on Wednesday included a strike at a civilian airport in Dammam that killed at...