Yemen is reportedly nearing a full-scale war as the Iranian-backed Houthi militia claimed Saudi forces launched numerous airstrikes across the country, escalating hostilities after weeks of mounting tensions.
Saudi officials have yet to issue a public statement regarding the Houthi assertions. This comes one day after the Kingdom pledged retaliation for a Houthi assault that resulted in 73 civilian casualties in southern Yemen.
Intense fighting has erupted between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in recent days, jeopardizing a fragile cease-fire established in 2022. The conflict, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, has effectively divided Yemen, with the militia controlling significant portions of the north.
Amidst broader geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran, which have disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis appear to be pursuing control over Red Sea shipping routes. This strategic objective has led to escalating ground battles and attacks on Saudi energy facilities, prompting retaliatory strikes from Saudi Arabia.
A Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that Saudi warplanes conducted 54 airstrikes across five Yemeni regions designated as front lines. These areas include the Houthi-controlled provinces of Al-Bayda and Saada, as well as the contested provinces of Taiz, Marib, and Al-Jawf. Concurrently, the Saudi-backed Yemeni army announced its own airstrikes in some of these same regions within the past 24 hours.
