Houthi Rebels and Saudi-Backed Forces Escalate Clashes in Yemen Amid Global Oil Price Surge
Clashes between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen have escalated, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The Houthis said that Saudi-backed forces launched dozens of airstrikes overnight across four provinces in Yemen, killing no one but damaging property. This comes after Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia left 73 people wounded.
The strikes also follow weeks of intensifying clashes between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces. The conflict has pushed up global oil prices, with Brent crude hitting $100 a barrel for the first time this week. The U.N. atomic watchdog's board reported Iran to the Security Council for failing to cooperate in an investigation into uranium traces at undeclared sites.
In other developments, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza wounded at least nine people and reduced buildings to rubble. Israel also announced plans to shut down the British Consulate in Jerusalem within a month in response to U.K. trade restrictions on settlements in the West Bank.