Saudi-Houthi Strikes Escalate, Displace Over 100,000

Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group has intensified along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, with Saudi airstrikes and Houthi drone and missile attacks widening the regional conflict. The escalation has displaced more than 100,000 Yemenis, while civilians face mounting casualties, food insecurity and dangerous conditions in overcrowded shelters. The conflict’s proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb, combined with continuing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, is raising fears of disruptions to global shipping and oil supplies and has already contributed to higher fuel prices. The United States is providing intelligence support to Saudi Arabia as the United Nations urges de-escalation. Separately, legislation sent to President Trump would permit tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, potentially complicating India’s reliance on Russian crude and adding pressure to global energy markets.