Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia exchanged fire over the weekend, escalating tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman. The Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, including Jizan and Yanbu, targeting facilities linked to Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. Saudi Arabia’s civil defense issued alerts but reported no immediate damage. In response, Saudi-led coalition forces struck Houthi military targets in Yemen’s Hodeida province, which the coalition described as legitimate responses to threats against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, threatening to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The group claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, while Saudi Arabia confirmed one of the incidents. The U.S. has warned Iran, which backs the Houthis, of further consequences if attacks continue. Meanwhile, U.S. forces disabled a tanker attempting to evade a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the second such incident in recent weeks.
The escalation comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with both sides exchanging strikes over the past two weeks. Iran’s foreign minister called for diplomacy, while U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action if further attacks occur. The conflict risks disrupting global shipping, as the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz are critical for oil and trade routes.