Houthi gains in Yemen, attack on Saudi pipeline compound pressure on oil markets
Yemen's Houthi rebels seized more islands in the strategically crucial Bab al-Mandab Strait and now control the west coast of the country. This comes as a crucial pipeline in Saudi Arabia will be out of commission for weeks. Ali Rogin discussed the latest with Michael Ratney, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have seized additional islands in the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, now controlling the west coast of the country, located on the Red Sea. Simultaneously, a key Saudi oil pipeline is expected to remain out of commission for several weeks following an attack last week, which has raised concerns for oil markets.
The Houthi attacks have been intensifying, with Yemeni fighters claiming to have struck the Saudi Khamis Mushait air base, and Saudi officials reporting wounded civilians and mosque damage in the port city of Jazan. The conflict has reignited, leading to hundreds of casualties on both sides of the border. Saudi Arabia has turned to the U.S. for assistance, but President Trump has not committed to airstrikes.
The Houthis have expressed a desire for peace and have stated that they do not wish to engage with the U.S., allowing most ships to continue passing through the region. The Houthis have made significant territorial gains in Western Yemen along the Red Sea, capturing islands and increasing their leverage over Saudi shipping routes.
This development has raised concerns about the security of global trade routes and the potential impact on the wider Middle East war.
Written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
