Yemen Escalation Spreads to Saudi Border and Red Sea

Fighting between Yemen’s government forces and the Iran-aligned Houthis has intensified across Taiz, the western coast, Al-Jawf and Al-Dhalea, in the most serious escalation since the 2022 truce. Government forces reported striking Houthi fighters and equipment near Mocha and Dhubab, repelling attacks in Al-Dhalea, advancing in parts of Al-Jawf and thwarting a Houthi naval assault near Red Sea islands, while the Houthis claimed extensive Saudi airstrikes on areas under their control. The Houthis also claimed missile and drone strikes on the Sharurah military base in southern Saudi Arabia, targeting weapons depots and command centers, although the timing and damage were not independently confirmed; Saudi authorities separately said a projectile near the Yemeni border injured two people and damaged a mosque and other buildings. Reports said a Houthi offensive had expanded the group’s control over parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and strategic islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while earlier Houthi attacks on southern Saudi cities and energy facilities reportedly injured 73 civilians. The renewed clashes have reportedly killed at least 500 people and displaced at least 20,000, with civilians fleeing as efforts to revive peace talks falter and regional tensions rise around Red Sea access and Saudi security.