Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed on Sunday to have struck facilities at a military base in Saudi Arabia as the burgeoning conflict threatens to throw the region back into chaos, reports BritPanorama.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the Iran-backed group had targeted “weapons depots and command and control centers” at the southern Sharurah base. He asserted that a joint ballistic missile and drone attack successfully hit its targets and warned of wider measures if Saudi attacks on Yemen persist.
This escalation follows a lightning Houthi advance to the Red Sea coast this week, providing the group with greater capacity to attack Saudi ships around the Bab-al Mandeb strait. Oil prices hovered around $100 per barrel on Sunday amid increasing fears that these clashes could draw in the US to support its ally in Riyadh, thereby prolonging the six-month conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that one crew member was killed early on Sunday when an Iranian commercial ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. There has been no immediate comment from the US military, which has previously engaged Iranian vessels to enforce a blockade of the country’s ports.
The Houthis have been engaged in battles against Saudi Arabia for over a decade as part of the Yemen civil war, with their recent activities suggesting a reassertion of control over key maritime routes. This week’s offensive has enabled them to launch attacks on southern Saudi cities, resulting in casualties and damage to energy infrastructure.
The ongoing tensions reflect broader geopolitical dynamics, as the Iran-aligned Houthis seek to exploit vulnerabilities amid increasing economic pressures across the region. Washington is now faced with the challenging decision of whether to assist its allies in combating the Houthi forces, potentially deepening the impact of the conflict.
The situation in the region remains fluid, raising questions about future military engagements and the strategic choices both the US and its allies must confront as hostilities continue.
