Yemen's Houthis escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen, killing 11

Yemen's Houthi rebels have escalated attacks targeting strategic locations in Saudi Arabia and areas under Yemeni government control, resulting in at least 11 deaths and dozens of injuries, according to medical and military sources. The offensive included strikes against a refinery operated by Saudi Aramco in the Jazan region and bombings in the Red Sea port of Mokha. A medical source in Mokha reported three civilians and eight military personnel killed, with 32 others injured, including six civilians. Military sources confirmed multiple waves of missiles and drones were launched against Mokha and nearby positions, including facilities on strategic islands near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical global shipping lane. The attacks also damaged civilian infrastructure, including the port's pier and storage facilities for goods and food.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the operations, stating the targets were "Saudi enemy" forces and equipment. He also confirmed drone use against an oil facility in Jazan, describing it as retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy reported a fire at the affected refinery, which was extinguished without casualties, though the cause was not specified. This facility is crucial for processing hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily and has been targeted previously.

Yemeni authorities condemned the attacks on Mokha as a blow to vital civilian infrastructure, essential for trade and supplies in areas not controlled by the Houthis. This latest wave of violence risks further exacerbating Yemen's ongoing humanitarian crisis. The escalation occurs amid renewed regional tensions and follows the collapse of a relative calm established after a 2022 truce. Hostilities resumed last month, marking a return to large-scale conflict in the war-torn country. The Houthis recently announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, targeting oil tankers and energy infrastructure in the Red Sea, increasing pressure on shipping routes.