Saudi warplanes conducted airstrikes in Yemen, while Houthi fighters launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, according to the Iran-backed movement on Wednesday. This escalation has expanded Tehran’s influence in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Amid the escalating conflict, the United States heightened its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, prohibiting government employees from traveling within 32 kilometers of the Yemen border. The Houthis, who have made significant territorial gains in Yemen recently, shared video footage showing their fighters seizing armored vehicles from Saudi-backed forces. The video also captured warplanes flying overhead and massive explosions in the desert.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree reported that the group had carried out drone and missile attacks on the major Saudi Red Sea oil port of Yanbu and a southern Saudi airbase at Khamis Mushait. However, the timing of these strikes was not specified. While Saudi Arabia issued alerts for various locations on Tuesday, there were no similar announcements on Wednesday.
Saudi officials and oil company Aramco did not provide immediate comments in response to inquiries. Saree claimed that the Houthis had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet, although no concrete evidence was presented.
Reports indicated that U.S. officials engaged in discussions with the Houthis over the weekend in Oman. During the meeting, the Houthis reportedly affirmed their commitment to a ceasefire reached with the U.S. last year and stated that they had no intentions of attacking American vessels.
The conflict in Yemen poses a threat to global energy supplies, exacerbating the existing energy supply shortage caused by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. This situation has disrupted shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent crude remained near $108 a barrel, with the average retail price of diesel fuel in the United States surpassing $6.30 a gallon.
Traders warn that an extended closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline could disrupt up to four percent of global oil supply. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright mentioned that crude oil flow through the pipeline should resume within days.
Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition against the Houthis since 2015. The conflict, which had relatively calmed under a ceasefire, reignited when the Houthis initiated a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and targeted southern areas of the kingdom. The violence escalated significantly this month when the Houthis pushed back forces allied with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia recently contacted U.S. President Donald Trump seeking military assistance, which has been limited to intelligence support thus far. Trump is presented with a dilemma regarding whether to intervene more directly to support the Saudis against the Houthi advances or risk exacerbating the global energy crisis.