Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the Red Sea governorate of Hodeidah on Friday, specifically targeting the port. While Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim that civilian sites were targeted, Saudi Arabia has stated that it hit military targets.
These strikes follow recent Houthi attacks on several Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, which the Iran-aligned militia describes as a naval blockade. The escalation takes place as the United States and Iran vie for control of the vital Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the attacks on Hodeidah, Houthi rebels fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning. Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles originating from Yemen.
The Houthi-controlled foreign ministry has warned that the situation will spark further escalation in the Yemeni conflict. The rebels accused Saudi Arabia of a dangerous escalation and stated that these actions will not go unanswered.