Singapore - Oil prices jumped in Asia on Thursday after Saudi Arabian jets struck rebel targets in Yemen, with fears growing that a spiralling crisis in the country could threaten key crude producers in the Middle East.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery surged $2.28 to $51.49 while Brent crude for May rose $2.46 to $58.94 in late-morning trade.
WTI advanced $1.70 while Brent gained $1.37 on Wednesday following news that Yemen President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi was rushed to a "secure location" after a warplane attacked his presidential complex.