Houthi Attacks Escalate Tensions in Saudi Arabia and Yemen

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport, an Aramco refinery, and other southern sites on Monday. This comes amid escalating violence in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition reported destroying Houthi targets along the Red Sea coast, including weapons depots and naval mines in Hodeida. The coalition also asserted control over key areas near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route, expelling Houthis from Mocha, Dhubab airport, and Al-Omari military camp.

Yemen's government announced an offensive to retake all Houthi-held territory, while the Saudi-led coalition conducted over 1,000 strikes, including 100 warplane sorties. Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Riyadh under a mutual defense pact, agreeing to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia, though their role remains unspecified. The UN expressed deep concern over the escalation, condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Houthi strikes have repeatedly disrupted Saudi oil infrastructure, including halting the East-West pipeline, exacerbating global oil supply concerns. Saudi Aramco's CEO warned that global oil stockpiles are dangerously low, with crude prices already surging due to Middle East tensions. The conflict has displaced over 184,000 people, deepening Yemen's humanitarian crisis and widening regional instability.