Yemen Conflict Escalates as Houthi Rebels Report Dozens of Saudi Airstrikes
The conflict in Yemen has escalated significantly as Houthi rebels reported dozens of Saudi airstrikes on Wednesday. The attacks targeted various areas across the governorates of Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeida over the past few hours.
More than 40 attacks were carried out, with the Houthis blaming Saudi Arabia for causing fires and temporary shutdowns at oil sites. This comes a day after the Iran-backed Houthis set oil sites ablaze and wounded 73 in their heaviest missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in years.
The Yemen fighting is taking place against the backdrop of the Middle East war, which erupted in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. On Wednesday, Iran said it attacked 20 American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted a US military base in Jordan in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian oil tankers.
The Middle East war has sucked in Yemen, the energy-rich Gulf, and others across the region while roiling the world economy. Oil prices returned to $100 a barrel on Wednesday, with over 500 people having died since the Houthis launched their major offensive last week to seize territory around the Bab al-Mandab strait.
The rebels are trying to tighten their squeeze on shipments, which is a lifeline for exports after Iran's blockade of Hormuz. The European Union has urged the Houthis to end their attacks, calling them a 'dangerous escalation'.