Saudi Arabia Accused of 40+ Airstrikes on Yemen Amid Escalating Conflict
The Houthi movement in Yemen has accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out more than 40 airstrikes in several regions of the country, including Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeidah. This comes just a day after a large-scale Houthi missile and drone attack on Saudi oil facilities caused fires, suspended operations, and injured 73 people.
The Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-led coalition since 2015, but a UN-mediated truce was reached in 2022. However, tensions have escalated again amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Analysts consider shipments through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which provides access to the Red Sea shipping route, crucial for exports due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Union has called on the Houthis to immediately halt all attacks inside and outside Yemen, including against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Houthis have also been attacking Saudi oil tankers, further escalating tensions. Saudi authorities had promised to respond to the Houthi attacks, and a warning was issued for the southern province of Khamis Mushait near Yemen, although it was later canceled.