HOUTHIS ACCUSE SAUDI ARABIA OF CARRYING OUT MORE THAN 50 STRIKES IN YEMEN

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out more than 50 airstrikes across parts of Yemen within 24 hours, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi-backed forces continues to intensify. The claim comes amid a sharp escalation in the long-running conflict, with both sides stepping up military operations and raising fears that the renewed violence could further destabilise the region.

The Houthis said the alleged Saudi strikes targeted several areas under their control, although the claims could not be independently verified. The group has accused Saudi Arabia of launching repeated air raids in retaliation for recent Houthi attacks against Saudi territory, including strikes on military and energy-related targets. Saudi authorities have not immediately provided a detailed response to the latest claim.

The latest escalation follows a major Houthi offensive in which the group has carried out missile and drone attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. The attacks have reportedly wounded dozens of people and affected oil facilities, prompting Riyadh to increase its military response. The renewed fighting has raised concerns about the possibility of the conflict spreading further and threatening key energy and shipping routes in the region.

The situation has also created fresh concerns for global oil supplies because of the strategic location of the fighting. The Houthis have expanded their presence along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Any prolonged disruption around the waterway could affect the movement of oil and other commercial cargo, particularly at a time when the wider Middle East is already facing serious supply concerns.

The latest exchanges mark a significant deterioration after years of relative calm following a UN-backed ceasefire that largely reduced large-scale fighting from 2022. Thousands of people have already been displaced by the renewed conflict, while humanitarian organisations remain concerned about the impact on civilians. With Saudi-backed Yemeni forces preparing to push back against the Houthis and the rebels continuing their attacks, fears are growing that Yemen could be heading towards another prolonged period of intense conflict.