Dangerous dimensions are being assumed by the civil war raging in Yemen between the forces of the internationally recognized government and the Houthis, who, in retaliation for the assistance of Saudi Arabia to the government of Yemen, launched a fierce wave of attacks against 4 cities and several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, resulting in more than 70 people being injured.
Analysts argue that retaliation from Saudi Arabia should be considered a given, while fears of generalized escalation are being voiced, although many analysts assess that a protracted war will not be triggered.
The government of Yemen rushed to condemn the attacks by the Houthis, who for their part signal that they stand ready to repel any attack originating from Saudi Arabia.
The counteroffensive for Sanaa
Forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of Yemen launched counterattacks against the Houthi rebels, with officials stating that their objective is the recapture of the capital, Sanaa.
Majid al-Nuzaili, a spokesman for the forces aligned with the government of Yemen, stated that the goal of the campaign is to «liberate Yemen from the control» of the Houthis «and restore Sanaa as the capital of all Yemenis».
Fierce battles
Fighting intensified yesterday, Monday, September 7, in the provinces of Taiz, al-Bayda, and al-Jawf, which is considered the main gateway to the capital.
«al-Jawf is particularly significant because it borders Saudi Arabia and connects to the province of Saada, the primary stronghold of the Houthis.
al-Bayda has strategic importance because it is located in central Yemen and connects eight administrative districts (four in the north and four in the south)», reports Al Jazeera.
Government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, reported carrying out rocket and drone strikes against Houthi positions and reported «fierce battles» involving ground forces.
The Houthis stated that they repelled an attack in al-Jawf and that at least seven people were killed in an airstrike on a prison in the town of al-Hazm.
Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition fighting against the Houthis in Yemen for more than a decade.
This war had de-escalated in recent years, but the truce has now collapsed, with the Houthis threatening navigation at the entrance of the Red Sea.
Attacks on 4 cities
The Houthis blamed Riyadh for the offensive, declaring that «aggression will not go unpunished».
In this context, they attacked four cities in southern Saudi Arabia, injuring more than 70 people and causing fires at oil facilities, in a development that appeared to mark a significant widening of the war in the Middle East, which has been ongoing for six months.
As they announced, they utilized drones and missiles to hit a Saudi air base in the southern city of Khamis Mushait, as well as targets belonging to the state oil company of Saudi Arabia in the nearby cities of Abha, Najran, on the border with Yemen, and Jazan, a major port on the Red Sea.
Chaos from explosions at Abha International Airport and the King Khalid air base of F-15s
According to reports published by networks Al-Ghadir, Al-Masirah, the Ansarullah Telegram channel, and other media sources, Abha International Airport and a direct target in close proximity were attacked, and air traffic at the airport was suspended.
There are also reports that King Khalid air base in Khamis Mushait, which hosts F-15 fighter jets, was also a direct target.
Oil facilities burning
The Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia announced that several energy facilities and infrastructure in the southern region of the kingdom were targeted by Houthi attacks this morning, resulting, according to initial information, in dozens of injuries.
A statement published on X noted that the attacks caused fires at multiple facilities and led to the temporary disruption of certain operations, while authorities worked to ensure the safety of facilities and personnel, as well as the continuity of their operation.
The ministry added that damage assessment is underway.
Important oil facilities are located in the southern region, including a refinery with a capacity of 400,000 barrels per day in Jazan, which is one of the largest in Saudi Arabia.
Reports of such a high number of injuries suggest that the attacks are among the largest carried out against Saudi Arabia since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February.
Houthi: Large-scale operations against Saudi Aramco
The Houthis announced that they carried out a large-scale operation against facilities of the Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco and a military base, in response to strikes against Yemen.
«In response to the crimes of the enemy, we carried out a large-scale special military operation targeting Aramco facilities in Abha, Najran, Jazan, and the economic zone, as well as the base in Khamis Mushait», Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on the television station Al Masirah.
According to him, the large-scale operation was carried out using dozens of ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft.
Oil over 99 dollars
Following these developments, Brent crude prices were recording gains of more than 2% on Tuesday, surpassing 99 dollars per barrel.
The Houthi attacks in southwestern Saudi Arabia may exacerbate the global economic impact of the war, disrupting Middle East energy supplies beyond the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia bombed the area
Following the Houthi attacks, Saudi Arabia proceeded with airstrikes.
The latest strikes hit the area of al-Jubah in Marib, in the part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis, according to a report by media controlled by the Houthis.
No further details were reported regarding casualties or damage.
Saudi Arabia condemns the Houthis for attacks on civilian areas - Door open for diplomacy
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia stated that the kingdom «strongly condemns» the targeting of non-military areas in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran by the Houthi militia.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud made these remarks during a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow.
Earlier, Riyadh announced that more than 70 people were injured in overnight attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones, among them women and children.
However, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia stated that, despite the fierce strikes sustained by the country, the diplomatic path with the Houthis remains open to end the clashes.
«The Houthis have their own problems and they want to export these problems to Saudi Arabia and to the legitimate government of Yemen.
The provocation by the Houthis will end in failure.
These practices of the Houthis and this self-serving stance of theirs will lead to outcomes that will not be tolerated», Faisal said, emphasizing: «The path of diplomacy has not closed. Saudi Arabia will always support diplomatic solutions, but the kingdom will never hesitate to defend itself and its interests. We will use every available means to fulfill our task and obligations».
We are not heading toward a protracted war
According to Saudi political analyst Khaled Batarfi, the strikes will provoke a reaction, but not a protracted war.
«This is of course an escalation», Batarfi told Al Jazeera.
In previous attacks, Saudi Arabia tried «not to get involved in a civil war, to keep distance, and not respond to the attacks.
However, now this has crossed the line», the analyst said.
«The coalition will have a say in this.
This is a civil war within Yemen and it affects us as one of the involved sides, therefore any response... in the same manner [will be] an eye for an eye.
Nevertheless, I do not see us being led into a protracted war, neither with Iran nor with the Houthis», said Batarfi.
Houthi: We are ready for any attack
The Houthis pledged to repel any attack launched by Saudi Arabia, as clashes continue to intensify.
«For 12 years, the beloved people of Yemen have endured aggression and blockade by the criminal Saudi enemy, while during the last three days [it] launched a barbaric and unjust assault against our people», the Houthis claim.
«All actions, attacks, and troop concentrations by the Saudi enemy will not intimidate our beloved country...
On the contrary, they will further strengthen our determination to confront every act of aggression and every attack», the statement said.
Saudi Arabia responsible
The Houthis declare that they hold Saudi Arabia responsible, following the execution of 121 airstrikes yesterday across an area stretching from Marib province to al-Bayda.
According to the Yemeni group, Saudi Arabia supports and supplies weapons and air power to the armed forces of the internationally recognized government of Yemen, with the aim of expelling the Houthis from areas under their control.
Government of Yemen condemns Houthi attacks
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the internationally recognized government of Yemen condemned the Houthis for attacks against civilian facilities and energy infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia.
In a statement cited by the Yemeni news agency SABA, it characterized the attacks with ballistic missiles and drones as a «terrorist attack» and a «blatant act of aggression».
«The Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias targeted a series of civilian and economic facilities, as well as energy infrastructure in the southern region of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a blatant act of aggression aimed at undermining the security, sovereignty, and stability of the Kingdom, as well as the safety of citizens, residents, and its national assets».
They added that they reaffirm «full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and emphasize that its security constitutes an integral part of the security of Yemen and regional stability».
Casualties rising
It is noted that so far the fighting has caused hundreds of dead and wounded.
The World Health Organization announced on Monday, September 7, that at least 728 people have been killed or injured since August 23, with the majority of casualties recorded in Taiz and along the western coast.
It also reported that approximately 21,000 people (around 3,000 families) have been displaced from Taiz alone.
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