Oil Rallies as US Orders Saudi Evacuations After Deadly Houthi Drone Strikes

Crude oil benchmarks advanced toward five-month highs, with Brent futures rising 1.2% to $110.11 per barrel and WTI climbing 1% to $98.12 per barrel amid mounting Middle East supply risks. Gains followed the U.S. State Department ordering non-emergency personnel and families to evacuate Saudi Arabia after a surge in Houthi attacks. A drone strike on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield killed two workers, though output was unaffected. Regional risks expanded as the U.S. reduced regional troop numbers, while a larger-than-expected 3.06-million-barrel drop in U.S. crude stockpiles provided further price support.