Houthis Escalate Attacks on Saudi-Backed Targets in Yemen

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have escalated their attacks on Saudi-backed targets, causing casualties among government forces and damage to oil sites. The recent attacks are linked to the US-Iran war, according to experts.

Maysaa Shuja Al Deen, a senior researcher with the Sanaa Centre for Strategic Studies, said the Houthi rebels are seeking sources of income due to their struggling economy and poor governance. They aim to secure economic resources and gain popularity among the people.

The timing of the Houthi's latest escalation is significant, as Iran is edging towards an agreement with Oman and the US that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis have imposed a 'blockade' on the Bab Al Mandeb strait into the Red Sea, a vital lifeline for Saudi Arabia to export oil.

Ahmed Nagi, a Yemen expert at the Crisis Group, said the Houthi attacks look like a pre-emptive move against government forces, preparing for renewed fighting inside Yemen. The group is also signalling that supply lines are vulnerable and any attempt to protect them militarily could come under attack.