Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for strikes on multiple targets in Saudi Arabia, including Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base, and facilities belonging to state-owned oil giant Aramco in Abha and Jizan. The strikes come amid escalating conflict near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical shipping route for Saudi oil exports.
Escalating Conflict
The Houthis have been pressing an offensive to seize territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which forms the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This strategic waterway has become increasingly vital for Saudi oil exports, especially since Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began at the start of the US-Iran war. The recent days of fighting near the Red Sea coast have resulted in over 300 deaths and displaced hundreds of families.
The Houthis accused Riyadh of carrying out strikes around Yemen, including a deadly bombardment of a prison. Ansarollah, the Houthi media outlet, reported that the prison strike killed 11 people and left 20 inmates missing under the rubble. A child visiting the facility was also among the dead, according to Saba news agency, which is affiliated with the Houthi movement.
Strategic Importance
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a crucial maritime chokepoint, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, with an estimated 10% of global trade passing through it. The strait's strategic importance has been heightened by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Saudi Arabia to rely more heavily on the Bab al-Mandab for its oil exports.
The Houthis' efforts to capture land bordering the Bab al-Mandab Strait pose a significant threat to regional stability and global trade. The conflict has already disrupted shipping and increased tensions between Yemen's Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, which supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on the Houthis' claims of strikes on its territory. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, given the strait's importance to global trade and energy supplies.
