Saudi Arabia carried out a major wave of airstrikes against Houthi positions across Yemen on Wednesday, with Houthi sources reporting that Saudi aircraft conducted 32 strikes across the governorates of Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz and Hodeida. The reported operation came after a major Houthi missile and drone assault on southern Saudi Arabia that targeted military and energy infrastructure and left at least 73 people injured.
According to Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah television, the Saudi strikes were conducted against several locations in the four Yemeni governorates. Saudi Arabia has not publicly confirmed the reported figure of 32 airstrikes, making the number attributable to Houthi sources rather than an independently verified Saudi military announcement.
The Saudi response follows an escalation in attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. On Tuesday, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones towards southern Saudi cities, including Abha, Khamis Mushait and Jazan. The attacks reportedly struck or affected energy infrastructure and military facilities, including oil installations and an airbase. Saudi authorities said dozens of people were wounded in the attacks.
The latest escalation comes as fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s internationally recognised government has intensified across several fronts. Government-aligned forces have been conducting operations against Houthi positions in areas including Taiz, Hodeida, Al-Jawf and Marib, while the Houthis have attempted to expand their influence towards strategically important areas near the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The situation has also drawn a strong warning from Pakistan. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said there should be no ambiguity regarding the newly formed Makkah Defence Alliance, involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. He warned that an attack on one member could be treated as an attack on all members under the mutual defence arrangement.
Pakistan’s warning came shortly after the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, raising concerns that continued attacks could potentially widen the conflict beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Islamabad has indicated that its defence commitments are focused on protecting Saudi territory from external aggression, while diplomatic efforts remain preferable to a wider military confrontation.
The renewed Saudi-Houthi confrontation is unfolding against a wider regional security crisis involving Iran, the United States and conflicts affecting the Red Sea and Gulf. The strategic importance of the region has increased further because disruptions around the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz could affect international shipping and global energy markets.
With Saudi Arabia increasing its military response and Pakistan warning against attacks on its ally, the latest developments mark a significant escalation in the Yemen conflict. Further Houthi attacks or additional Saudi strikes could increase the risk of the fighting expanding into a broader regional confrontation.