Houthis Threaten Escalation as Saudi Arabia Launches Red Sea Maritime Defense Coalition

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have threatened to escalate their attacks against Saudi Arabia after Riyadh launched a new maritime defense coalition aimed at countering the group's campaign against Red Sea shipping. The Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned that Saudi Arabia was heading towards 'full escalation' and vowed to respond in kind.

The coalition, which includes 14 countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Djibouti, is designed to protect freedom of navigation and energy supply routes through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Saudi Arabia will serve as the founding state and host the permanent headquarters, joint command, and operational center.

The Houthis have been responsible for a series of attacks on Saudi oil tankers and infrastructure in recent weeks, including an attack on a Saudi oil tanker off the port of Jazan on the kingdom's southern Red Sea coast. The group has also announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.