The Houthis, backed by Iran, claim that a missile strike has ignited fires in Jizan, a southwestern Saudi city, amid a rapid escalation with Riyadh which launched air strikes on Houthi‑linked targets in Hodeidah and Kamaran island on Friday.
The claim was posted on Telegram by the Ansarallah media wing of the Houthi movement on early Saturday morning, citing a "Yemeni missile strike" that caused damage in Jizan. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts for the province, warning residents to seek shelter.
This development follows a series of retaliatory moves. Saudi air forces had targeted navigation and logistics facilities linked to the Houthis just days earlier, a test of their new naval embargo announced by the movement that has seen student-led protests in Sana'a.
The U.S. has continued a blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, disabling a tanker that attempted to bypass the restriction. U.S. Navy spokesman Tim Hawkins confirmed the vessel was struck on the engine room after repeated violations of the blockade.
The escalating conflict has rattled global markets. The price of crude oil surged above $100 a barrel this week, the highest since May, then fell after two Chinese‑chartered supertankers navigated the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait successfully.
Trump addressed reporters at the White House on Friday, stating that negotiations with Iran were ongoing while also hinting at an “exit strategy” that could either intensify operations or result in a deal. He underscored that the U.S. remains ready for further action.
International talks are slated to resume next week in London, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and the broader maritime security situation. The U.K. and U.S. defense officials will attend, aiming to reinforce the blockade and address threats from Yemen’s Houthis.
