Saudi Arabia intensifies its response as Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast raise concerns over regional security, shipping and energy supplies.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has condemned Yemen’s Houthi movement over what Saudi authorities described as repeated attempts to target the holy city of Makkah, calling the group a “terrorist militia” as fighting in Yemen intensifies.
King Salman made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. He praised Saudi military and security personnel for defending the kingdom and protecting the holy sites, pilgrims, citizens and residents. The king described the reported attempt to target Makkah as a “heinous crime” and a provocation to Muslims worldwide.
The Houthis have denied targeting the holy city. The latest confrontation comes amid a sharp escalation between the Iran-backed group and Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia.
Houthi forces have made significant advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including gains around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The developments have raised concerns about international shipping, energy supplies and broader regional stability.
Fighting has reportedly killed more than 150 people over the past two days, with different figures emerging from military sources on both sides. The casualty figures could not be independently verified. Saudi Arabia has continued supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government while carrying out military operations against Houthi positions.
The escalation has also deepened the humanitarian crisis. Houthi authorities have accused Saudi forces of carrying out strikes that killed civilians and detainees, including nine prisoners at a detention facility. Those claims could not be independently verified.
The United Nations said displacement inside Yemen could exceed 230,000 people in the coming month if the current pace of fighting continues. UNHCR also reported that about 3,000 Yemenis had reached Djibouti after crossing the Gulf of Aden, while hundreds more had arrived in Somaliland and Puntland. Around 70% of displaced people inside Yemen were women and children, according to the agency.
International pressure on the Houthis has also increased. G7 foreign ministers called on the group to immediately halt military operations and attacks or threats against civilian shipping and return to the political process. They also called on Iran to end its arming and support of the Houthis.
Britain has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with an RAF Voyager aircraft for air-to-air refuelling of Saudi aircraft involved in defensive operations. The British government said the support followed a Saudi request and was intended to strengthen the kingdom’s defensive capabilities.
France has also offered support for protecting Saudi energy infrastructure while stressing that its assistance would not involve direct participation in the conflict.
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