Houthis Expand Attacks to Saudi Arabia as Oil Prices Surge Past $104
Two were wounded in southern Saudi Arabia after a Houthi projectile strike. US President Donald Trump stated the Houthis want to avoid direct conflict with Washington.
Two people were wounded on Saturday when a projectile fired by the Houthis landed in the Al-Twal area of the Jizan province in southern Saudi Arabia. According to Saudi civil defense, the impact caused direct damage to a mosque, buildings, and vehicles. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed they launched missiles and drones targeting a military base in the kingdom, hitting weapon depots and command centers.
Despite the attacks on Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump revealed that the group is trying to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington. According to Trump, the Houthis contacted his administration directly to clarify they do not want to escalate the situation against American forces. "They called us and they do not want to fight us," said Trump, who turned down a request by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to carry out direct American strikes in Yemen, opting instead to provide intelligence assistance.
These weekend developments follow a ground blitz carried out by the Houthis on Friday, during which they seized strategic targets in southwestern Yemen, including the coastal town of Dhubab, Perim Island, and the port city of Al-Mokha. Houthi control over these areas grants them direct influence over shipping traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a factor that has already pushed oil prices above $104 a barrel.
Iran quickly praised the achievements of the rebels on the western coast, while the West's concerns grow over continued disruptions to freedom of navigation and global energy markets.
