Houthis unleash fresh strikes on Saudi Arabia as Iran denies Yemen role

The Yemeni Houthi group launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Saudi military facilities on Monday, as Iran rejected any role in the ongoing conflict. The rebels seized control of the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait last week, areas crucial for Saudi oil exports. The Houthis reported firing dozens of drones and missiles at Saudi targets, causing residents to hear intense blasts and forcing the Saudi Civil Defence to issue alerts in the cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha.

The Bab al-Mandab waterway has become vital for the kingdom's oil trade, with Iran maintaining a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, a scheduled meeting between Gulf countries and Iran to discuss the future of the Gulf remained postponed, with Tehran accusing Riyadh of using Yemen as a pretext to postpone discussions. Iran maintains that it is not involved in Yemen's internal affairs, with a foreign ministry spokesman stating that the Houthis are independent actors making decisions based on their interests.

The renewed fighting in Yemen follows a surge in hostilities in July, when the Houthis took control of Sanaa, the capital, leading Saudi Arabia to launch airstrikes and intervene on behalf of the internationally recognized government.