Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting Saudi Arabia on Saturday, further intensifying the Houthis Saudi Arabia strike crisis as regional tensions continue to rise. The claim came hours after the group vowed retaliation following Saudi military strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
According to Houthi-affiliated media, a missile strike caused fires in the southern Saudi city of Jizan near the Red Sea. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the claim, although civil defence agencies briefly issued precautionary warnings for residents in Jizan and Yanbu before later lifting them.
The latest Houthis Saudi Arabia strike follows Saudi air operations against Houthi military targets in Hodeida. Saudi-led coalition forces said the strikes were carried out after attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and were aimed at eliminating threats to maritime navigation.
A Yemeni security source said Saudi strikes targeted a naval base, a telecommunications facility near Hodeida Port, and a military camp on Kamaran Island. Houthi media reported that two civilians were injured, including a worker in Hodeida and a woman on Kamaran Island.
Earlier this week, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi-linked vessels and warned ships to comply with their restrictions. Saudi officials confirmed that one Saudi commercial vessel sustained minor damage during an attack in the Red Sea but continued its voyage safely.
The escalation comes as broader Middle East tensions remain high amid the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. US President Donald Trump said diplomatic talks with Tehran were continuing but warned that stronger military action remained possible if negotiations failed.
The Houthis Saudi Arabia strike has added another layer of uncertainty to regional security and global shipping routes. Analysts say continued attacks around the Red Sea and nearby waterways could increase pressure on international trade and energy markets while diplomatic efforts seek to reduce tensions.
