Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia
The Iran‑backed Houthi movement in Yemen announced overnight strikes on a Saudi military installation in the Najran region. The attacks come after the group seized the port of Mokha and an island at Bab al‑Mandeb, bringing them within 20 miles of the U.S. base in Djibouti. Saudi officials reported…
The Iran‑backed Houthi movement in Yemen has claimed a new round of missile and drone strikes on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to a statement from Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier‑General Yahya Saree, the attacks targeted a military base in the Sharurah province of Najran. The Houthis offered no evidence of the strike and did not confirm the exact time of the attack.
Rapid Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast
In recent days the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and an island at the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, a critical alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. The takeover has alarmed markets and civilians who fear a return to a full‑scale civil war. The new attacks are part of a broader strategy to pressure Saudi Arabia, which has been supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government for the past 12 years.
Saudi response and damage reports
Saudi civil defence officials reported that a projectile fell in the Al‑Tawwal governorate near the border with Yemen, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and other buildings. The ministry also noted that sirens were sounded in the Sharurah province, though it did not confirm any casualties or damage there. The Saudi Air Force has not yet issued a statement on the new attacks.
Yemeni government vows to counter the advance
Senior officials from Yemen’s internationally recognized government have pledged to regroup and counter the Houthi push. Sultan al‑Arada, a member of the ruling presidential council and governor of Marib, described the collapse of government forces in Mokha as “painful and regrettable.” He added that Yemeni forces are “currently regrouping and will return to the battle in one form or another.” A senior military official cited a lack of coordination between the national army and allied militias as a factor that allowed the Houthis to seize the port so quickly.
Geopolitical implications and the threat to the 2022 ceasefire
The Houthi rapid advance has not only weakened the Yemeni government but also brought the rebels within 20 miles (32 km) of the U.S. military base in Djibouti, the main U.S. foothold on the African continent. The proximity has raised concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict that could drag in the United States and other foreign powers. Oil markets have responded with a spike, hovering around $100 per barrel, reflecting fears that the clash could disrupt shipping around the Bab al‑Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz.
International reactions and ongoing tensions
The United States has not yet issued a response to the Houthi claims. Iranian officials have indicated that the Houthis have warned of wider measures if Saudi air attacks on Yemen continue. Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration reported that more than 2,000 Yemenis have reached Djibouti following the Houthi push, prompting the Djiboutian navy and coast guard to conduct rescue operations.
Uncertainties and unresolved questions
Key details remain unclear. The exact date and time of the alleged strike on the Sharurah base have not been confirmed by either the Houthis or the Saudi military. It is also unknown whether the Saudi air force will retaliate or how the U.S. will respond to the potential threat to its Djiboutian base. The Houthis have not yet provided evidence of the strike, leaving the international community to rely on official statements and satellite images for verification.
What to watch next
Observers will be looking for a potential Saudi counter‑strike, any further Houthi claims of attacks, and the response from the United States regarding the proximity to its Djiboutian base. The stability of the 2022 ceasefire remains in question as both sides continue to test the limits of their military capabilities in the region.
Why it matters
The conflict has the potential to widen the Iran‑Saudi rivalry and threaten global oil supplies, impacting international markets and regional security.
Key points
- Houthis claim missile and drone strikes on a Saudi base in Najran.
- The group recently captured Mokha and an island at Bab al‑Mandeb, nearing the U.S. base in Djibouti.
- Saudi civil defence reports injuries and damage in Al‑Tawwal, but no casualties in Sharurah.
- Yemeni officials vow to counter the Houthi advance after the loss of Mokha.
- Oil prices have risen to about $100 per barrel amid fears of wider conflict.
- The U.S. has yet to respond to the alleged attacks or the proximity threat.
- The 2022 ceasefire could be jeopardised if the conflict escalates further.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Houthis’ objective in attacking Saudi Arabia?
The Houthis aim to pressure Saudi Arabia, which supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and to expand their influence along the Red Sea route.
Has the U.S. responded to the alleged attacks?
No, the United States has not yet issued a statement regarding the claims or the potential threat to its Djiboutian base.
What impact could this have on global oil markets?
The attacks have already pushed oil prices to around $100 per barrel, reflecting fears that shipping lanes around the Bab al‑Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted.
