Yemen's Houthi Rebels Claim Missile and Drone Attacks on Saudi Arabia Amid Strategic Red Sea Offensive

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Sunday that they had launched missiles and drones towards a Saudi military base near the border with the kingdom, as the Iran-backed militia intensifies its efforts to expand control along the Red Sea coast. These latest assaults occur as Saudi Arabia faces mounting pressure from Iran-aligned groups across multiple fronts.

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Iran was likely responsible for an attack on the kingdom's East-West oil pipeline, while noting that the Houthis did not desire a confrontation with the US. "Iran is probably responsible for the attack," Mr Trump remarked, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved due to his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Regarding the Houthis, he added that the rebels do not want to fight with the US.

The Saudi Civil Defence reported late Saturday that a Houthi projectile struck Al Tuwal governorate in Jazan, injuring two people and causing damage to a mosque, several buildings, and vehicles. The agency condemned assaults on civilian infrastructure as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the rebels successfully targeted weapons depots and command-and-control centres at a base in Sharurah, near the border. Saudi authorities did not immediately issue a comment regarding the claim.

The attacks follow the Houthi capture of the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha on Thursday following days of fighting with Saudi-backed government forces. Since then, Houthi rebels have advanced beyond Mokha, seizing Dhubab on Friday—the last major town on Yemen’s western coast—and taking control of Perim Island, also known as Mayun, situated in the middle of the Bab Al Mandeb strait. Yemeni officials cited by The National also confirmed the capture of the island of Zuqar.

These territorial gains grant the Houthis control over Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline and establish a dominant position around the Bab Al Mandeb, the narrow waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Perim Island divides the strait into two shipping channels, providing strategic oversight of vessels entering and leaving the Red Sea.

Regarding maritime impact, the Houthis stated that shipping traffic remained safe but reiterated that Saudi vessels would remain subject to their restrictions. The group has maintained a ban on Saudi shipping since July, claiming a series of attacks on Saudi tankers and oil infrastructure.

The offensive is already disrupting trade. Data indicated that only 15 vessels crossed Bab Al Mandeb on Friday, down from 30 the previous day, with six ships exiting and nine entering carrying cargoes such as crude, grains, and steel. Saudi Arabia has grown increasingly reliant on the Red Sea as an alternative oil export route due to severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the broader US-Iran conflict.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia faced disruptions on its alternative oil pipeline route after a drone attack launched from Iraq forced a temporary shutdown, according to Saudi officials. Iraq's government stated that an investigation concluded the attacks targeting Saudi Arabia originated from Maysan province, prompting Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi to order an inquiry into the responsible military command and dismiss its commander. Saudi Arabia indicated it would give Baghdad an opportunity to take action rather than responding immediately.

The rapid Houthi advance poses a strategic challenge for Washington as it evaluates how to protect freedom of navigation without entering a direct military campaign in Yemen. The US has provided intelligence support to Saudi Arabia but has so far avoided direct military intervention against the Houthis, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces reported counterattacks against Houthi vehicles and fighters near Mokha and along the Mokha-Dhubab road, while Houthi media highlighted Saudi strikes targeting Mokha airport.

The escalation has also triggered a displacement crisis, with the UN migration agency estimating that approximately 46,000 people had been displaced by Friday, and subsequent reports placing the number of fleeing civilians close to 50,000. Djibouti reported late Saturday that around 1,400 refugees had arrived from Yemen within a 24-hour period, with Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh sharing footage of arrivals on a sandy shoreline.