Houthi Attacks Add to Wider Regional Tensions
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said Saturday that they launched missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia, describing the operation as retaliation for alleged Saudi airstrikes on Hodeida and Kamaran Island along Yemen’s western coast.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Iran-backed movement, said the attacks targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Jizan, two Red Sea cities that contain important oil infrastructure. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the Houthi claims. However, civil defence officials reported repeated alerts for a potential threat in both areas before announcing that the danger had passed. Bahrain also issued missile alerts, and no casualties were reported.
The developments came amid wider regional instability involving Iran, the United States, Israel and several Arab countries. Iran reported a night without new strikes after nearly two weeks of consecutive U.S. attacks. U.S. Central Command did not announce additional operations, unlike during the previous 13 nights.
A fragile ceasefire had appeared to reduce major hostilities following American and Israeli attacks on Iran, but fighting resumed in early July. Iran was accused of attacking three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes on targets inside Iran. Tehran subsequently attacked U.S.-allied Arab states.
The Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments, remains central to the conflict. A blockade and attacks have disrupted maritime traffic, while U.S. embassies warned Americans that departure options could narrow. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard separately advised residents of neighbouring countries to avoid bases hosting U.S. forces.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for diplomacy and dialogue over Yemen, arguing against further military confrontation.
Reported casualties across the regional wars are substantial. Iran’s Health Ministry said more than 3,400 people had died in Iran. Deaths were also reported among U.S. service members, Israeli civilians and troops, and civilians elsewhere in the region.