Middle East War Spreads to Yemen, Threatening Oil Supplies
The conflict in the Middle East has spread to Yemen as Iran-backed Houthi fighters engage in battles with Saudi-backed forces. The fighting has caused thousands of Yemenis to flee their homes, many taking to boats in the Red Sea to escape the violence. Ahmad Hassan, a 70-year-old refugee, described the arduous journey: 'The sea was wavy. The children were getting seasick; everyone is not used to the sea.'
Over 100,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the latest fighting, mostly within Yemen. Houthi-controlled television reported fresh Saudi air strikes in Hajjah province and the vicinity of Taiz. The Houthis claim to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet.
The conflict threatens global oil supplies as it has spread to key regions such as the Red Sea coast and the Strait of Hormuz. Global crude prices have hovered between $100 and $110 a barrel, with diesel reaching an all-time high in the United States just shy of $6.40 a gallon.
US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the war would end soon, stating 'Well, hopefully we are towards the end of the war.' However, no negotiations between the US and Iran have been held since an interim agreement collapsed in June.