Regional Escalation Puts Yemen Back in the Spotlight as Houthi Attacks Raise Risk of a Wider War

Yemen is once again at the center of developments as the confrontation between the US, Israel and Iran threatens to spread further across the region.

On Saturday, Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia launched an operation against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Yemeni army spokesperson said the Houthis were dragging the country into regional conflicts to serve the interests of foreign powers.

As one of the groups linked to Tehran, the Houthis have warned that the conflict could widen. In recent months, they have targeted commercial vessels and stepped up attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh has responded to these threats by deepening security cooperation. Last week, Saudi Arabia signed a defense agreement with Pakistan and Turkey.

Fighting in Yemen began more than ten years ago, with clashes taking place mainly between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the internationally recognized government.

The Houthis control the capital, Sanaa, and most of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. The group is part of Iran’s regional network of allies, through which it has obtained weapons and technology.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in Yemen aimed at pushing back the Houthis. However, the war caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Experts now warn that the Houthis could use the war between Iran and its adversaries to regain lost influence and extend the confrontation across the Middle East.