Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia in Escalating Conflict Over Yemen

The conflict in Yemen continues to escalate as Houthi rebels fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia in response to Saudi airstrikes on the strategic Red Sea city of Hodeida.

The attack targeted facilities in the Red Sea cities of Yanbu and Jizan that belong to Aramco, the world's largest oil company. The Houthis have said they would close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom's blockade on Yemen.

This has significant implications for global trade as around 12% of the world's trade passes through this strait. The Houthis targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea last week, and in response, Saudi Arabia struck Hodeida, injuring two people. The US military has renewed its blockade of Iran's ports, further exacerbating tensions in the region.