SANA’A – Houthi rebels attack Saudi base, Iran denies involvement in conflict

SANA’A, Sept 14 /ATSH-AFP/ – Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Saudi military targets today, while Iran denied any involvement in the renewed civil war in Yemen.

The group, which is fighting the internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia, last week took control of the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab strait.

This sea route has become particularly important, as the wider war between the U.S. and Iran has paralyzed traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthi rebels said they had launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Saudi Arabia.

As a result, Saudi Civil Defense issued brief alarm notices in the neighboring cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha.

A resident of Khamis Mushait said he had heard powerful explosions, while fires continued to burn for a long time.

“Honestly, we couldn’t sleep at all,” he said.

The Bab al-Mandab strait has become essential for Saudi oil exports, while Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz as part of the Middle East war. The Houthis have also declared a naval blockade against Riyadh.

The escalation of fighting has again pushed oil prices higher, as the long route through the Suez Canal and around Africa remains the only safe route for transporting Saudi oil to key Asian markets.

The new fighting in Yemen is unfolding at a time when the wider regional war has entered a deadlock. A proposed meeting between Gulf countries and Iran to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz was postponed. Tehran accused Riyadh of using the situation in Yemen as a “pretext” to delay talks.

Iran has long supported the Houthi rebels, who are part of the so-called “axis of resistance” against Israel, providing them with weapons and technology.

However, analysts hold differing views on the scale of Iran’s involvement in the latest escalation of fighting.

“Iran does not interfere in Yemen’s affairs,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqae declared today. “The Houthi rebels are fully independent actors who make their decisions based on their own interests,” he said.