The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen are escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, and in response, the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis has launched strikes of its own. This is part of an escalation that has continued throughout July, as the Saudis don’t want Iran to open up an air bridge to the Houthi capital in Sanaa in Yemen, fearing the Iranians are transporting weapons and advisors. The Houthis have claimed that unless the Saudi-led “blockade” ends, they will attack Saudi Arabian ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
This essentially means the Houthis are trying to shut down a key transit point the same way Iran has done with the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis threatened to escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia amid renewed tensions between the two sides on Friday. Al-Masirah, the Houthi-run media in Yemen, reported on their intentions.
Reports quoted Mahdi al-Mashat, the Houthi chairman of the Supreme Political Council, the executive body of the Houthis, as threatening Saudi Arabia. Houthi authorities accused Saudi Arabia of attacking Sanaa Airport and sites in Hodeidah, claiming that the strikes would lead to retaliation. According to Al-Masirah, the Houthis said they had carried out two operations against Saudi targets, including an attack using missiles and drones against Aramco facilities in Yanbu. They claimed the strikes achieved their objectives. (Read More)
