Saudi air strikes leave 10 dead, 14 injured in Yemen

DUBAI: In a recent 24-hour period, Saudi airstrikes killed 10 individuals and injured 14 others, according to reports from Houthi-affiliated media on Wednesday. The group has warned that if the United States intervenes in Yemen to support Saudi Arabia, they will retaliate by attacking US interests throughout the Middle East.

The threat of regional escalation arose after Houthis launched a rapid offensive in recent weeks, aiming to seize control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait. A Houthi military adviser stated that the group would target American assets if the US takes action to unblock the narrow shipping lane. The adviser warned, "If America dares to intervene militarily with its fleets or tries to take control of Bab al-Mandab, it is a red line for them and anyone else... we will fight over it."

The adviser also claimed the group would "close Bab al-Mandab completely to American ships" in the event of an intervention. These statements follow reports from the US that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yemen's government requested military aid from US President Donald Trump.

On the ground, the violence continues to escalate. Al-Masirah TV reported on Wednesday that Saudi airstrikes in the past 24 hours resulted in dozens of casualties across two governorates. In Taiz, eight civilians were killed and 11 injured, while in Al-Jawf, two civilians were killed and three others wounded. The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of conducting hundreds of strikes since the four-year truce ended in July and have retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi sites, including the capital, Riyadh.

The Houthi military adviser emphasized the group's resolve, stating, "As long as Saudi Arabia insists on and continues killing our country and striking our people, we will strike with an iron fist."