Houthis Strike Saudi Capital as Yemen Conflict Escalates

A fire broke out near Riyadh's international airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, as Yemen's Houthi movement announced they had carried out strikes on targets in the capital and coastal oil facilities.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, reported using a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones to hit sensitive sites in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes but failed to stop the Houthi advance. The Houthis have been seizing territory in Yemen's Red Sea coast, giving them control over the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Anna Jacobs of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington said Saudi Arabia is entering a phase of escalation and will likely respond, but both sides are locked in an 'escalation trap'.