- Iran-backed Houthis claimed a missile attack on the southern Saudi city of Jizan on Saturday, after vowing retaliation against the kingdom for attacks this week.
- The missile strike followed Saudi Arabia's air strikes on Houthi targets in the Yemeni port city of Hodeida and a nearby island on Friday.
- Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have been trading fire, with the Saudi-led coalition targeting Houthi sites in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping.
- In the Strait of Hormuz, the US military fired on and disabled a tanker ship attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports.
- Growing concern over new threats to shipping in the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthis has pushed the price of crude oil back over $100 a barrel this week.
- The flare-up marks a new front of the war that has engulfed the region, and comes on top of Iran's parallel blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Riyadh's only other maritime route.
- The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of a dangerous escalation and stated that their actions will not go unanswered.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on Saudi Arabia's Jizan city on Saturday, claiming retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Houthi military sites. This escalation follows the Houthis' maritime blockade of Saudi shipping, raising fears of a broader conflict in the region.123
The Saudi-led coalition responded to Houthi threats by targeting military sites in Yemen, with spokesperson Turki al-Maliki stating, “The terrorist Houthi military … targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea.” The coalition's military response aims to protect commercial vessels, emphasizing that “the military response is now over.”
The situation has heightened concerns over shipping safety in the Red Sea, contributing to a surge in crude oil prices, which have surpassed $100 (£74.96) a barrel for the first time since May. Analysts warn that ongoing Houthi attacks could lead to “brinkmanship” and potential all-out conflict.5
The Houthis' missile strike follows a series of retaliatory actions, including a blockade that has disrupted maritime traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military has also engaged in the region, disabling a tanker attempting to evade its blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.46
As tensions escalate, the U.S. and UK are set to hold discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Omani officials are in Tehran for talks, indicating the international community's concern over the potential for wider conflict in the Middle East.
“Houthi media accused Saudi Arabia of a 'dangerous escalation' and vowed retaliation after Saudi strikes on Hodeida and Kamaran island on Friday. Separately, the US disabled a second tanker in the Gulf of Oman, and oil prices rose above $100 a barrel as Red Sea shipping faced growing threats.”
The Guardian
BBC
South China Morning Post
