Oil prices rose on Thursday as further Houthi militia attacks in Saudi Arabia heightened regional tensions and prompted Washington to order some diplomatic personnel and their dependents to leave the kingdom.

Brent crude futures climbed $1.29, or 1.2 percent, to $110.11 a barrel by 00:34 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 97 cents, or 1 percent, to $98.12.

The gains followed a mixed session on Wednesday, when Brent finished largely unchanged, and WTI fell 67 cents.