Saudi Arabia strikes hit Yemen after Houthi attacks

SANAA: Fighting between Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified, with Houthi media claiming that Saudi aircraft carried out dozens of airstrikes across several parts of the war-torn country.

The reported escalation comes just a day after Houthi forces launched drones and missiles at several cities in southern Saudi Arabia, an attack Saudi authorities said left 73 people wounded.

Houthi media reports 32 strikes

According to Houthi-affiliated media, Saudi aircraft carried out 32 airstrikes in Yemen, targeting areas in the provinces of Marib, Al Jawf, Taiz and Hodeidah.

The reports said the strikes followed the latest Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, marking a sharp return to direct military confrontation between the opposing sides.

Details about casualties and damage from the reported airstrikes were not immediately clear.

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have also stepped up operations against the Houthis as tensions rise across the country.

Fighting spreads across Yemen

Heavy clashes have reportedly continued around Yemen’s western coast and in areas surrounding Taiz, adding another layer to the growing military escalation.

The renewed fighting is being viewed as some of the most serious violence in Yemen since the 2022 truce significantly reduced large-scale combat.

The conflict has already devastated Yemen’s infrastructure and left millions of people dependent on humanitarian assistance. A return to sustained fighting could further deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis.

The latest developments also raise concerns that the conflict could expand beyond Yemen’s borders, particularly as the Houthis continue to target Saudi territory and have previously disrupted shipping in strategic waters.

Red Sea shipping faces fresh risks

The escalation is particularly concerning for international shipping because Yemen’s western coastline lies close to the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes.

Any significant expansion of fighting in the area could threaten commercial vessels and further disrupt global trade.

The Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a crucial route for ships travelling between Europe and Asia.

A prolonged escalation could therefore have consequences far beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia, potentially affecting shipping costs, delivery routes and energy markets.

For now, the latest exchanges have revived fears that Yemen could once again slide into a broader war after years of fragile calm.

With Saudi-backed forces intensifying their response and the Houthis continuing to threaten targets inside Saudi Arabia, regional observers are watching closely for signs of whether the latest escalation will remain limited or develop into a much wider confrontation.