In Most Dangerous Countries Houthi Attacks Kill Three Civilians in Yemen’s Taiz as Saudi Arabia Faces Missile Strikes
Houthi attacks have killed civilians in Yemen and struck Saudi Arabia, adding to multiple active global conflicts in the most dangerous countries that include the war in Ukraine and repeated displacement in Gaza.
Houthi Attacks Kill Civilians in Yemen
Houthi shelling in Yemen’s Taiz killed 3 civilians including 2 women and injured 5 others. [2] A separate report cited 1 woman killed and 5 civilians injured including a woman and young girl in the Sabir al-Mawadim district. [4] The casualties occurred during an attack targeting residential properties and villages in the al-Shaqab area. [4] The incidents involved Houthi shelling and sniper fire in areas south and west of the province. [2]
Saudi Arabia Under Renewed Houthi Fire
Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia have killed nearly 20 people, closed the main airport, grounded multiple flights, and prompted flight suspensions by Indian carriers Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air. [3] The strikes have targeted infrastructure and disrupted investment events central to Saudi Arabia’s economic ambitions. [3] A 2019 attack on oil giant Saudi Aramco's facilities stopped about 5% of oil supply for a time. [3] The vulnerability of Riyadh's infrastructure was exposed in 2019 when attacks on the Abqaiq oil processing facility and Khurais oil field knocked out roughly half of the kingdom’s oil production. [3]
Mohammed bin Salman Seeks Stronger Allied Support
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has failed to secure strong backing from allies including the US under President Trump, with only limited help from a new defence pact with Pakistan and Turkey while other Gulf states offer verbal support only. [3] Efforts to get backing from Trump have so far failed to secure direct American intervention. [3] The crown prince increased Saudi Arabia's promised investments in the United States to $1 trillion last November and also signed a defence agreement. [3] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Obviously the Saudis have come under Houthi attack … and they have a right to defend themselves.” [3] The US administration has been reluctant to involve itself in this crisis and has asked Riyadh not to spark a major new conflict in Yemen. [3]
Decade of Yemen Conflict and Iranian Links
The attacks form part of a decade-long conflict in which Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis seized Sanaa; a ceasefire was reached in 2022 but the Houthis have since grown stronger and intensified strikes after Israel attacked Gaza. [3] Iran has provided the Houthis with funding, arms, ammunition and training for over the last 10 years. [3] The Houthis have grown much stronger over the past decade while MBS along with a Saudi-backed Yemeni coalition keep attacking. [3] The Houthis intensified their attacks on shipping in Red Sea after Israel attacked Gaza and thereby affected global oil markets. [3] Riyadh on Thursday accused Iran of fuelling a sharp escalation in the Houthis’ conflict with the kingdom. [3]
Intense Russian Assaults Continue in Ukraine
In Ukraine, Russian forces conducted 238 combat clashes in one day, attacking most actively on the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka and Kupiansk fronts with over 70 attacks on Pokrovsk and two other fronts. [5] On the Pokrovsk front, Ukrainian forces repelled 30 Russian attacks near settlements including Toretske, Hruzke, Vilne, Kucheriv Yar, Svitlе, Dobropillia, Serhiivka, Molodetske, Novopavlivka and Marivka. [5] On the Kostiantynivka front, 18 combat clashes were recorded near settlements including Kostiantynivka, Dovha Balka, Druzhkivka, Novoselivka, Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, Mykolaipillia and Novopavlivka. [5] On the Kupiansk front, Ukraine's defence forces repelled one Russian attempt to advance near the city of Kupiansk. [5]
Most Dangerous Countries See Gaza Shelters Deteriorate From Repeated Displacement
In Gaza, repeated displacement has left shelters deteriorating ahead of winter, with some Palestinians displaced up to 8 times according to the IOM which is calling for a shift to more durable shelters. [1] The UN migration agency calls for a shift from temporary tents to more durable shelters. [1]
What to watch next: The US and some other countries are currently providing some defensive and logistical support to Riyadh, but concerns remain large that prolonged military actions could create further escalation in the region and threaten shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
