The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, confirmed attacks on Saudi Arabia’s port city of Yanbu, where a vessel operated by Saudi national shipping company Bahri was involved in a maritime incident. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported a tanker struck by an unknown projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, though all crew members were accounted for and no environmental damage was reported.
Houthis Seize Strategic Ports, Saudi Arabia Struggles to Contain Escalating Attacks
The Houthis have also captured the key port of Mokha and Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, followed by two additional Red Sea islands, according to Al-Monitor. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, a critical route for crude exports bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, was targeted in recent attacks, forcing the kingdom to suspend some oil shipments to Europe. The pipeline, which connects to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, has become a vital alternative for Saudi oil exports amid regional tensions.
Oil Markets React to Escalating Conflict, Saudi Missile Stockpiles Deplete
The attacks have sent shockwaves through global oil markets. Brent crude futures fell $2.92, or 2.7%, to $105.83 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined $3.32, or 3.1%, to $102.51. However, Chinese crude prices hit an all-time high of $129 a barrel due to supply concerns, as reported by the Financial Times. Saudi Arabia has begun transferring crude oil between ships off Oman’s Sohar port for delivery to Asian refineries.
Saudi Arabia’s military has also faced challenges, with reports indicating its interceptor missile stockpiles are running low. The kingdom has sought assistance from Western and regional allies, including France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt, to bolster air defense capabilities against Houthi drone and missile attacks. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their assaults, including a recent drone strike near the holy city of Mecca, which Saudi authorities declared a “red line.” The Houthis denied involvement in the attack, which occurred over 1,100 kilometers from the Yemeni border.
Hezbollah’s Decade-Long Involvement in Houthi Strategy
The Houthis’ rapid military development has drawn comparisons to Hezbollah’s two-decade-long project to shape the group. A 2007 meeting in Damascus between Iranian operatives linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanese Hezbollah figures laid the groundwork for this relationship, according to Newlines Magazine. Hezbollah operatives embedded themselves in Yemen, building networks through intermediaries and funding campaigns in Beirut.
By 2009, Hezbollah’s involvement had evolved from planning to practice, with operatives entering Yemen under assumed identities and marrying into local families. While some activities aligned with Houthi priorities, others, such as inciting clashes along the Saudi-Yemen border, operated independently of Houthi leadership. The partnership, though transactional, has significantly influenced the Houthis’ military capabilities, enabling them to achieve rapid advancements in just five years.
Saudi’s Diplomatic Struggles and U.S. Tensions
Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts have faced setbacks as it balances relations with the U.S. and regional rivals. The kingdom withdrew from a high-stakes meeting in Oman’s Salalah, involving Iran, Gulf states, and Iraq, amid growing tensions. U.S. Central Command General Brad Cooper met with the Saudi crown prince days before the withdrawal, though a spokesperson declined to comment on his movements.
President Donald Trump’s opposition to Gulf alliances that might legitimize Iranian influence has further complicated Riyadh’s strategy. Trump reportedly rejected a potential deal to ease tensions over the Hormuz Strait, fearing it would weaken his leverage with Iran. Analysts suggest Saudi Arabia is caught between its reliance on U.S. military support and the need to address regional threats independently, a dilemma that could force difficult choices in the coming months.