Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia raise fears of wider Yemen conflict

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Tensions between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia have sharply escalated after a major missile and drone attack on the kingdom's southern provinces wounded at least 73 civilians, including women and children.

The Houthis used missiles and drones in the attacks, according to a statement from the Saudi-led coalition, which said civilian and economic sites were targeted in southern Saudi Arabia.

Data from NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) also showed new thermal anomalies near a Saudi Aramco oil refinery in the southern city of Jazan, raising concerns about possible damage to energy infrastructure.

The Houthis said their attacks were carried out in retaliation for 121 Saudi airstrikes on areas under Houthi control in Yemen over the previous three days.

The group said it had targeted Aramco facilities in Jazan, Abha and Najran, as well as Khamis Mushait air base.

The latest escalation comes as fighting has intensified in several parts of Yemen, in some of the heaviest clashes since a fragile truce took effect in 2022.

Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia have increased airstrikes against Houthi positions in recent days, prompting fears that the renewed violence could develop into a wider confrontation.

The Houthis, who seized control of much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa in 2014, have fought the internationally recognised government for more than a decade.

Saudi Arabia has backed the Yemeni government and has played a central role in efforts to contain the Houthi movement, including through a military intervention launched in 2015.

A United Nations-mediated truce agreed in 2022 significantly reduced fighting between the main parties, although the truce formally expired several months later. Large-scale hostilities nevertheless remained relatively limited for several years.

The latest fighting has raised concerns that the period of relative calm could be coming to an end.

The renewed cycle of Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-held territory and Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and energy infrastructure could have consequences beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

The southern Saudi provinces targeted by the Houthis are close to Yemen and contain important infrastructure, while attacks on oil facilities could have wider implications for regional energy markets.

The escalation could also pose additional risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a major global maritime route that has already been affected by attacks linked to the Yemen conflict.

The Houthis have previously launched missiles and drones towards Saudi territory and, since late 2023, have also carried out attacks against commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea, saying they were acting in support of Palestinians during the war in Gaza.

The latest exchange of attacks comes amid growing uncertainty over whether the fragile security situation in Yemen can be contained.

Any sustained campaign against Saudi energy facilities or further expansion of Houthi attacks could increase pressure on regional governments and international powers to prevent the conflict from developing into a broader regional crisis.

GAROWE ONLINE