Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, launched assaults on four cities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, causing over 70 injuries and igniting oil facilities. This marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Houthis, who have control over most of Yemen’s populated areas, including the capital, announced a wide-ranging operation deep inside Saudi territory. They utilized drones and missiles to target a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait, as well as assets of Saudi Arabia’s state oil company in Abha, Najran, and Jazan, a key Red Sea port.
Saudi officials reported fires at the locations and noted that 73 individuals, including women and children, were injured in the attacks. The scale of casualties indicated one of the most substantial assaults on Saudi Arabia since the U.S. and Israel initiated their campaign against Iran in February.
Although concrete evidence of the aftermath was not immediately available, the Houthis shared images of an explosion, claiming it was of Saudi trucks they hit at the border in a separate incident.
The Houthi strikes on southwestern Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about the broader economic repercussions of the conflict, potentially disrupting energy supplies in the Middle East beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
Following a period of relative calm in August, recent clashes in the Gulf involving Iran and the U.S. have led to a resurgence, impacting global oil prices. Brent crude prices surged over two percent on Tuesday, surpassing $99 per barrel.
The conflict has caused a global shortage of crude oil, particularly affecting refined fuels. Diesel prices in the United States have soared to over $5.90 per gallon, just ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, which could influence the power balance in the U.S. Congress.
Saudi Arabia has spearheaded an Arab coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen for over a decade. While the conflict had eased in recent times, a ceasefire breakdown has reignited tensions, with the Houthis posing threats to shipping routes at the Red Sea’s entrance.
In response to the attacks, the Saudi-led coalition vowed to take decisive action to counter the Houthi militia’s aggression. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf has transformed into a showdown between the U.S. and Iran, each hoping to exert economic pressure through their respective blockades.
Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. has been facilitating the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to boost oil flow to global markets, while simultaneously enforcing a blockade against Iran’s exports beyond the strait.
Iran, on the other hand, has announced plans to establish a maritime exclusion zone encompassing the U.S. blockade perimeter, the strait, and the Gulf. Recent incidents involving U.S. firing on Iranian tankers and retaliatory missile strikes underscore the volatile situation in the region.
Additionally, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in civilian casualties, have heightened regional tensions. The attacks have raised concerns about a potential resumption of Israeli military actions despite a previous ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The conflict has displaced thousands of individuals in Yemen, particularly in Taiz and Hodeida, adding pressure on communities in the region. The International Organization for Migration reported that families continue to arrive in dire conditions, lacking essential resources and safety assurances.
Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2014 with the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and northern Yemen, has caused immense suffering, with an estimated death toll of at least 150,000 individuals and pushing the country to the brink of famine at various points.
