Houthis Strike Saudi Facilities as Yemen Conflict Escalates

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia on Saturday, targeting facilities in the Red Sea cities of Yanbu and Jizan that belong to Aramco, the world's largest oil company.

The attack was in response to Saudi airstrikes on the strategic Red Sea city of Hodeida, which is a key shipping route in the Middle East. The Houthis have threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping unless their demands are met.

The Strait of Hormuz, located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a vital shipping chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Around 12% of the world's trade passes through this narrow waterway.