In a significant escalation of conflict in the region, Iran-backed Houthi fighters have launched a missile and drone attack on a military base in southern Saudi Arabia. The attack, aimed at the Sharurah military base, targeted weapons depots and command-and-control centres, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree. The Saudi civil defence authorities reported that the assault led to a projectile landing near the border with Yemen, injuring two individuals and causing damage to a mosque and several buildings.
Amidst these developments, Yemeni government forces have ramped up their offensive against Houthi positions, conducting three airstrikes in the Taiz region. The strikes targeted Houthi locations and weapon stockpiles near Mocha, a strategic port city along the Red Sea. This comes as the Houthis have recently gained control over much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and several strategic islands following a week-long offensive, enhancing their strategic position near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime route.
The Houthis have also declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Red Sea ports, raising alarms over the potential impact on regional shipping and energy supplies, particularly as the Red Sea waterway becomes increasingly vital for Saudi oil exports due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia continues its support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while Iran maintains its backing of the Houthis, further heightening tensions across the region.
This renewed conflict has sparked a significant humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands displaced from their homes as the fighting intensifies. Many of these civilians are struggling to find refuge in safer areas. The United Nations has highlighted a sharp rise in displacement since July, with the ongoing violence reportedly claiming over 500 lives. The situation threatens to exacerbate Yemen’s already dire humanitarian conditions and destabilise the broader Red Sea region.