Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels are escalating their campaign against Saudi Arabia, targeting Saudi interests and threatening critical energy and maritime infrastructure.

The latest escalation comes after Saudi Arabia signed a new defence pact with Türkiye and Pakistan, raising questions over how the new alliance could respond to attacks from the Houthis. Reuters reported that a Houthi drone attack targeted Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery, with the fire subsequently extinguished and no casualties reported.

Yemen's Houthis Attack Saudi Targets, Ally Pakistan Watches on 

The conflict in West Asia has intensified after joint US-Saudi airstrikes in Iraq reportedly killed at least 20 members of a former paramilitary alliance linked to pro-Iran groups. The strikes came as Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting US military positions, while the US military claimed all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted.

Meanwhile, Iran says it struck oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and has proposed a temporary maritime arrangement with Oman to manage shipping routes through the strategic waterway. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting drones targeting key oil facilities, while Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea.

US-Saudi Strikes Kill 20 in Iraq | Iran Fires Missiles, Targets Oil Tankers | Hormuz Crisis Deepens

The US-Iran conflict has entered a dangerous new phase as American forces carried out their 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets. Iran responded with fresh regional attacks while tensions spread across Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump warned that Washington is "not finished" with Iran and threatened further strikes on fortified nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, the Houthis' blockade threats and disruptions to global shipping continue raising fears of a wider regional war and an energy crisis.


US-Iran war escalates: Trump warns more strikes as Hormuz Crisis deepens | West Asia War

Viktor Bout, the notorious arms dealer released in a prisoner swap in 2022, is back in business. He is reportedly negotiating a deal to supply small arms to Yemen’s Houthi group. Watch for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: How a Russian Freed by US Is Now Reportedly Selling Weapons to Houthis

Four foreign people were transported to the United States to face criminal charges; they appeared in court on Thursday. The four were allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons on a vessel that two U.S. Navy SEALs drowned trying to board.

US charges 4 foreign nationals with shipping Iranian-made weapons to Houthis

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<p>Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Sunday (Feb 4) that the <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-uk-carry-out-joint-air-raids-against-houthi-targets-in-yemen-hit-36-sites-686775">wave of American and British strikes in Yemen </a></strong>would bring "further turmoil" to the Middle East. On Saturday, the militaries of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations&nbsp;in Yemen, the third such joint operation in response to repeated attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed rebels.</p>

<p>Citing a statement from Hamas, a report by the news agency AFP said that the Palestinian militant group called the bombing of Houthi targets "a blatant assault on the sovereignty of a sister Arab country, and an escalation that will drag the region into further turmoil."</p>

<p>The Houthis did not announce any deaths in these strikes. According to the Pentagon, the strikes hit buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities the Houthis used to attack Red Sea shipping.</p>

<h2><strong>Houthis vow response after strikes</strong></h2>

<p>Also on Sunday, Houthi rebels vowed a response to the American and British strikes. "The strikes will not pass without a response and consequences," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last night, <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalAirForce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalAirForce</a> Typhoons successfully took out specific Houthi military targets in Yemen, further degrading the Houthis’ capabilities.<br />
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Recent attacks on UK and international vessels are unacceptable. It’s our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom. <a href="https://t.co/AV1a22G8QM">pic.twitter.com/AV1a22G8QM</a></p>
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1754113864818409476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"These attacks will not deter us from our ethical, religious, and humanitarian stance in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," Sarea added and pointed out that the group would press on.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;How does the US earn from wars?</strong></p>

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<p>The Houthis control swathes of Yemen and have said their attacks in the Red Sea are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US has carried out more than a dozen strikes against Houthi targets in the past several weeks. Sunday's strikes come a day after the US launched separate strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the killing of three US soldiers in Jordan last week.</p>

<h2><strong>US, UK fuelling chaos: Iran reacts to Yemen strikes</strong></h2>

<p>Condemning the strikes in Yemen, Iran said on Sunday that the US and the UK contradicted their declared intention of avoiding a wider Middle East conflict. In a statement, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said the strikes were in "clear contradiction with the repeated claims of Washington and London that they do not want the expansion of war and conflict in the region."</p>

<p>Kanani accused the two countries of "fuelling chaos, disorder, insecurity and instability" by supporting Israel in its war against Hamas.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Sunday (Feb 4) that the wave of American and British strikes in Yemen would bring "further turmoil" to the Middle East. On Saturday, the militaries of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Yemen, the third such joint operation in response to repeated attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed rebels.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Sunday (Feb 4) that the wave of American and British strikes in Yemen would bring "further turmoil" to the Middle East. On Saturday, the militaries of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Yemen, the third such joint operation in response to repeated attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed rebels. Citing a statement from Hamas, a report by the news agency AFP said that the Palestinian militant group called the bombing of Houthi targets "a blatant assault on the sovereignty of a sister Arab country, and an escalation that will drag the region into further turmoil." The Houthis did not announce any deaths in these strikes. According to the Pentagon, the strikes hit buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities the Houthis used to attack Red Sea shipping. Houthis vow response after strikes Also on Sunday, Houthi rebels vowed a response to the American and British strikes. "The strikes will not pass without a response and consequences," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the news agency Reuters reported. Last night, @RoyalAirForce Typhoons successfully took out specific Houthi military targets in Yemen, further degrading the Houthis’ capabilities. Recent attacks on UK and international vessels are unacceptable. It’s our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom. pic.twitter.com/AV1a22G8QM — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 4, 2024 × "These attacks will not deter us from our ethical, religious, and humanitarian stance in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," Sarea added and pointed out that the group would press on. Also watch | How does the US earn from wars? × The Houthis control swathes of Yemen and have said their attacks in the Red Sea are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip. The US has carried out more than a dozen strikes against Houthi targets in the past several weeks. Sunday's strikes come a day after the US launched separate strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the killing of three US soldiers in Jordan last week. US, UK fuelling chaos: Iran reacts to Yemen strikes Condemning the strikes in Yemen, Iran said on Sunday that the US and the UK contradicted their declared intention of avoiding a wider Middle East conflict. In a statement, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said the strikes were in "clear contradiction with the repeated claims of Washington and London that they do not want the expansion of war and conflict in the region." Kanani accused the two countries of "fuelling chaos, disorder, insecurity and instability" by supporting Israel in its war against Hamas. (With inputs from agencies)

US, UK strikes on Yemen will bring ‘further turmoil’ to Middle East: Hamas

Yemen's Houthis are turning the Red Sea into a maritime war zone. Houthis claimed responsibility for fresh missile attacks on a commercial ship in the Red Sea.

Yemen's Houthis claim fresh attacks on cargo ship in Red Sea

In a further escalation in hostilities in the Yemen war, the Houthi rebels have seized an Emirati flagship in the red sea. According to the Houthis, the vessel was full to the deck with weapons military jeeps, and other ammunition.

Houthi rebels have seized an Emirati flagship in the red sea

<p>Yemen's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthi-missile-attack-on-riyadh-thwarted-says-saudi-arabia-366731">Houthi</a> rebels claimed responsibility for the missile and drone strikes that targeted Saudi Arabia on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

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<p>The Saudi-led coalition said it had thwarted the <strong>Iran-backed</strong> rebels attack. Houthi spokesman said it had deployed ballistic missile and nine drones in the Saudi capital and six drones at military sites in Abha and Khamis Mushait.</p>

<p>"With the help of God almighty, the drone and artillery forces have conducted a joint military operation against Saudi Arabia. The operation, called 'the fifth balanced deterrence', was conducted by a <strong>Zulfiqar ballistic missile</strong> and 15 drones, 9 of which are<strong> Samad</strong> 3 drones that hit sensitive targets in the Saudi enemy's capital, Riyadh. And 6 more Qasef-2k drones, which targeted military locations in Abha and Khamis Mushait," Yahya Saria Houthi military spokesman said:</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed six armed drones.</p>

<p>According to the official Saudi press agency, the Saudi-led coalition intercepted the Houthi ballistic missile which had <strong>Riyadh</strong> as the target. The explosion sent debris raining on civilian homes. At least one home was damaged when fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods.</p>

<p>However, no casualties were reported in the attack. The Houthi rebels have previously targeted Riyadh with missiles and drones but hadn't claimed responsibility for any of the attacks.</p>

<p>The Houthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the Kingdom even after the<strong> United States</strong> delisted the rebels as terrorists.</p>


Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the missile and drone strikes that targeted Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Watch: The Saudi-led coalition said it had thwarted the Iran-backed rebels attack.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the missile and drone strikes that targeted Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Watch: The Saudi-led coalition said it had thwarted the Iran-backed rebels attack. Houthi spokesman said it had deployed ballistic missile and nine drones in the Saudi capital and six drones at military sites in Abha and Khamis Mushait. "With the help of God almighty, the drone and artillery forces have conducted a joint military operation against Saudi Arabia. The operation, called 'the fifth balanced deterrence', was conducted by a Zulfiqar ballistic missile and 15 drones, 9 of which are Samad 3 drones that hit sensitive targets in the Saudi enemy's capital, Riyadh. And 6 more Qasef-2k drones, which targeted military locations in Abha and Khamis Mushait," Yahya Saria Houthi military spokesman said: Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed six armed drones. According to the official Saudi press agency, the Saudi-led coalition intercepted the Houthi ballistic missile which had Riyadh as the target. The explosion sent debris raining on civilian homes. At least one home was damaged when fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods. However, no casualties were reported in the attack. The Houthi rebels have previously targeted Riyadh with missiles and drones but hadn't claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The Houthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the Kingdom even after the United States delisted the rebels as terrorists.

Drone and artillery operation conducted against Saudi Arabia, say Yemen's Houthi rebels

The European Union has censured a US decision to label Yemen's Houthis as terrorists. US State Secretary Mike Pompeo had made this announcement on Sunday.

EU slams US for labelling Yemen's Houthis as terrorists

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