The US war with Iran has expanded to include exchanges of airstrikes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, intensifying concerns that the conflict is spreading into another critical global shipping corridor. The Houthis claimed on Saturday to have struck two Saudi Arabian oil facilities, launching multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at facilities belonging to the state-owned energy giant Aramco in the Red Sea cities of Yanbu and Jizan.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that the operations successfully achieved their objectives and that the blockade on Saudi Arabia remains in place in retaliation for their aggression. The Yemeni Armed Forces, operating under Houthi control, announced separate "two qualitative military operations targeting sensitive Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu." These actions were described as a response to Saudi airstrikes on Friday targeting naval sites in Hodeidah and Karaman Island.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where the Houthis attacked several Saudi commercial vessels in recent days, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and accounts for approximately 5% of global maritime trade. The exchange of fire has fueled apprehension that the regional conflict could extend beyond direct confrontations between the US and Iran, potentially endangering vital energy infrastructure and international shipping lanes.
Former Pentagon official Alex Plitsas suggested that Saudi Arabia may be preparing to significantly escalate its campaign against the Iran-backed militants. According to Plitsas, regional sources indicated that a Houthi attack on Yanbu was anticipated and that Saudi Arabia, in coordination with regional and Western allies, has approved a large-scale operation against the Houthis, which will involve Saudi air power and Yemeni government forces.
These developments highlight growing concerns about Iran's regional proxy network opening additional fronts amidst intensifying tensions across the Middle East. The situation underscores the vulnerability of key shipping routes and energy supplies to escalating regional instability.