The Yemeni and Saudi Arabian group has been embroiled in tit-for-tat attacks amid U.S. renewed efforts to end the conflict.
The Houthi movement of Yemen and Saudi Arabia has been involved in tit-for-tat attacks for years, with the Iranian-linked rebels stepping up missile and drone attacks in the past few weeks.
On Monday, the Houthis slammed the heart of Saudi oil installation in its eastern continent, pushing global crude oil prices to their highest level in two years.
The latest rise comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the United States and the United Nations to reach a halt that would be a way for the resumption of political talks backed by the UN to end the six-year conflict in Yemen.
The Houthis have defended the cross-border attacks, saying they are in response to six years of devastating military offensive in Yemen by a Saudi-led coalition.
The Saudi-led coalition is aiming to restore an internationally recognized government, to halt what it sees as Iran’s growing influence in the region.
Rights groups and international observers have criticized the Saudi-led war that killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed millions and pushed the poorest country in the Middle East into a humanitarian crisis. never seen.
When did the promotion begin?
The Houthis launched cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets in February after U.S. President Joe Biden stopped supporting Saudi offensive work in the Yemeni war. Washington, however, said it would continue to help Riyadh to protect itself from regional threats.
Washington also rejected a decision by former President Donald Trump to put Houthis on a “terrorist list.”
The Houthis have also opposed Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces this month in the strategic northern region of Marib as they stepped up a campaign to capture the country’s richest oil fields.
What are the Houthis aiming for?
Houthi’s cross-border missile and drone attacks have targeted southern Saudi cities as well as the nation’s oil industry in some cases.
Saudi oil giant Aramco has been a frequent target, with the worst attack in recent years in September 2019, when Saudi Arabia was shut down for shutting down more than half of its crude products down, causing turmoil in the global oil supply. .
Recently, on March 4, the Houthis reported firing missiles at the Aramco petrol products distribution center in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. There was no confirmation from Saudi authorities or the company.
Prior to that, the last confirmed attack on the Aramco facility took place in November.
Why did the Houthis put up their attacks?
The Saudi-led coalition said in a statement that the Houthis were “encouraged [the group] to go too far in launching armed drones and ballistic missiles at civilians in Yemen and Saudi Arabia ”after the new U.S. administration reversed Trump’s“ terrorist ”designation.
She said the “winning” of a coalition in the Yemeni region of Marib had also incited the rebels to put their attacks inside the kingdom.
Speaking from Doha, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra said there were two things to play.
“The Houthis say they are dealing with the latest rise in the region with intense Saudi-led coalition strikes targeting Houthi positions in Sanaa.
“At the same time, before the end of this month, we mark the sixth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition against Houthis.
“Yesterday’s attack, deeper into Saudi Arabia, is aimed at vital fines… is a message from the Houthis that they are far from being routed and will continue to gain ground and expand the impact of their weapons, “he said.
What now?
The developments mark a new rise in Yemen’s six-year conflict as Houthis fight the Saudi-led armed coalition.
Al Jazeera’s Ahelbarra said the recent attacks were “putting a huge strain on Saudi Arabia” and could push the kingdom to “launch its military campaign in the days to seek revenge ”.
“But that is unlikely to lead anywhere because the signal on the ground is that Houthis are making huge military gains,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the launch of Houthi “a separate attack to take over the Marib region” was another opposition that was likely to see more accidents.
“If the Houthis can take over Marib, it may mean the beginning of an end for the internationally recognized people. [Yemeni] government, ”Ahelbarra said.