Houthi rebels strike Saudi airport, shattering four-year truce amid strait closure fears

Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, shattering a four-year truce and escalating regional tensions.

The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced the strikes on March 13, stating they were in response to Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, which is under Houthi control. Saree warned that Saudi Arabia "will pay the price" for its actions. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital Sanaa and its northern regions since the civil war began in 2014, view the Saudi actions as a direct provocation.

Saudi Arabia, through the Yemeni government which it supports, acknowledged striking Sanaa airport. They claimed the target was the airport runway, asserting it was a response to the Houthis allowing Iranian aircraft to enter Yemeni airspace without authorization. Reports suggest these aircraft were carrying Houthi delegations returning from an event commemorating Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike in February.

The breakdown of the truce, which had been in place since March 2022 and was extended informally after its expiration in October, raises significant concerns about maritime security. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial chokepoint for global shipping, could face closure if the conflict escalates further. This would severely impact Saudi Arabia's alternative sea routes, which it has relied on since the Strait of Hormuz faced disruptions due to the Iran-related conflict.

Adding another layer to the geopolitical maneuvering, reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump supported Saudi Arabia's military action against the Houthis. Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military action during a call with Trump on March 10, and Trump reportedly agreed.

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Saudi Arabia will pay the price for this attack.