Yemeni government forces, with the support of Saudi Arabia, have increased their attacks on Houthi positions along the Red Sea coast. Meanwhile, the Houthis have escalated tensions by launching missile and drone attacks towards Saudi Arabia. Since the beginning of September, more than 80,000 people have been displaced due to the clashes in Yemen.
Deployment of New Forces to the Red Sea Coast
The Yemeni government has announced that more troops will be deployed to the Red Sea coast. One government official acknowledged that government forces suffered a "painful" defeat last week after the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and an island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strait is recognized as one of the important shipping routes in the world.
Read more: Warning sirens sounded in Najran, Abha, and Jazan
Increased Pressure on Global Oil Prices
The escalation of tensions and Houthi attacks on Saudi oil and shipping infrastructure have increased pressure on global oil supply and prices. In this context, the United Nations has estimated that since the beginning of September, more than 80,000 people in this impoverished country have been displaced due to the clashes. Saudi officials in the city of Abha and the province of Khamis Mushait have sounded warning sirens and urged residents to seek refuge in safe places in anticipation of potential attacks.
Houthi Attacks and Heavy Casualties
The Houthis have targeted sites in Saudi Arabia using drones and missiles, including a military base near the Yemeni border. According to reports, one projectile landed in another area, resulting in two injuries and damage to a mosque and several other buildings. Saudi officials have blamed the Houthis for this attack. Additionally, Yemen's "National Resistance Forces" reported that over 500 government troops have been killed on the western coast in the past four weeks.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, attempted to downplay the recent defeats, describing them as "temporary." The state news agency Saba quoted him as saying that the government "will remain determined and steadfast in its goal of restoring state institutions and reviving sovereignty over all national territories."
Read more: Explosion sounds in southern Saudi Arabia and activation of warning systems · Ansar Allah; a turning point in the Yemen war with astonishing advances
