Iran-backed Houthi rebels have vowed to retaliate against Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of targeting civilian infrastructure. This escalation marks a new front in the ongoing Middle East conflict, following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February and Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
What led to the recent Saudi strikes?
Riyadh struck Houthi military targets in Hodeida on Friday in response to the Houthis' maritime blockade of Saudi ships and attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
What facilities were targeted?
A Yemeni security source reported that a naval base in Hodeida and a military camp on Kamaran island were among the Saudi targets. The Houthis' Ansarollah media claimed that civilian facilities in Hodeida and Kamaran island were also hit.
How did the Houthis respond?
The Houthis vowed to respond to the Saudi strikes, stating that the attacks on civilian facilities would not go unanswered. They reported two people wounded—a worker in Hodeida and a woman on Kamaran island.
What is the broader context of this conflict?
The recent exchange of fire threatens a 2022 truce that had been holding despite expiring. The Houthis have been at war with Yemen's government since 2014, a conflict that has caused significant loss of life and displacement. The Saudi-led coalition's strikes come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran also blockading the Strait of Hormuz.






























