Houthi Rebels Launch Attacks on Yemen Port and Saudi Oil Facility

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have launched attacks on a government-held port in Yemen and an oil facility in neighboring Saudi Arabia, deepening concerns over threats to Middle East shipping routes.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes, saying they targeted military forces and warehouses at the Mokha port. The attack killed seven people, including four troops and three civilians, and injured 15 others. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the group also attacked an Aramco refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, with a drone.

The attacks on the Mokha port have raised fears of a return to civil war in Yemen after a truce was brokered in 2022. The Houthi-led military campaign has been ongoing since then, and the group has repeatedly threatened to target strategic sites in Saudi Arabia if their demands are not met.

In related news, Iran and Oman have made progress on a plan to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies. The agreement is expected to be jointly announced by Iran, Oman, the US, and the UN's International Maritime Organization. However, details of the deal remain scarce, and it is unclear when it will take effect.