Houthi fighters, who are aligned with Iran, have taken responsibility for a recent drone and missile attack targeting a military base in southern Saudi Arabia, marking an escalation in their ongoing conflict with Yemeni government-backed forces. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the assault specifically aimed at weapons depots and command-and-control facilities located at the Sharurah military base. In response, Saudi authorities reported that one of the projectiles landed near the border with Yemen, resulting in injuries to two individuals and causing damage to a mosque alongside several buildings. Additionally, air-raid sirens were activated in the region.
This attack follows a significant Houthi offensive along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, where they have managed to seize critical areas, including a major port city and territories near the Bab al-Mandab Strait—an essential passageway for global shipping. In reaction, Yemeni government forces have mounted counterattacks against the Houthi strongholds in the country’s southwest. Officials from the Yemeni government have indicated that their forces are regrouping and making preparations to return to the Red Sea coast after experiencing recent setbacks.
The recent surge in hostilities has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 500 people and the displacement of tens of thousands. The United Nations has reported that nearly 86,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes in Yemen, with the majority of these displacements occurring since the start of September. The intensification of conflict is also having broader implications for regional security and energy routes.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait has gained increased significance for Saudi oil exports, particularly as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz encounters substantial disruptions amid the broader conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Saudi Arabia continues to lend its support to Yemen’s internationally recognized government, whereas the Houthis maintain their alignment with Iran. The latest resurgence in conflict has heightened concerns over potential attacks on critical infrastructure and commercial shipping within the region.