Overview
- The Houthi assault, which on Tuesday wounded 73 people including women and children, targeted Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran and sparked fires at several energy installations.
- The Houthis said the strikes were retaliation for recent Saudi air operations in Yemen, and Saudi officials have notified partners that Riyadh plans to respond to protect territory and infrastructure.
- Iran has announced an expanded restricted maritime zone outside the Strait of Hormuz and state media reported strikes on multiple vessels after U.S. forces destroyed five Iran‑linked tankers earlier in the week.
- Global markets reacted: Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel and shippers face higher insurance and routing costs as Saudi exports are diverted from the Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea and SUMED routes.
- Officials and analysts report growing coordination between the Houthis, Iran and Iran‑backed Iraqi militias, a development that risks widening the conflict and could activate new regional security alignments if cross‑border strikes continue.