Saudi-led coalition strikes Houthis as Yemen tensions rise

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen are escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, and in response, the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis has launched strikes of its own. This is part of an escalation that has continued throughout July, as the Saudis don't want Iran to open up an air bridge to the Houthi capital in Sanaa in Yemen, fearing the Iranians are transporting weapons and advisors. The Houthis have claimed that unless the Saudi-led blockade ends, they will attack Saudi Arabian ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This essentially means the Houthis are trying to shut down a key transit point the same way Iran has done with the Strait of Hormuz. Houthi officials portrayed the escalation as a response to what they describe as a Saudi blockade and violations of Yemeni sovereignty. The group warned that it could expand its military operations based on what it called a policy of blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation. After years of relative calm following the UN-brokered truce of 2022, the combination of Houthi missile and drone attacks, strikes on shipping, and renewed government and coalition air operations means Yemen is entering a new phase of conflict.