Saudi-Houthi fighting escalates as Yemen strikes Houthi targets in Sanaa, Saada

Yemen's armed forces said they struck Houthi targets in Sanaa and Saada after the group claimed an attack on a Riyadh Aramco facility. The exchange signalled a wider escalation in a conflict that is again threatening Saudi energy sites and Red Sea shipping.Yemen's armed forces launched strikes against Iran-aligned Houthi targets in the capital Sanaa and the group's stronghold of Saada early Sunday, marking another escalation in the rapidly intensifying conflict between the two sides.A spokesperson for Yemen's armed forces, which are aligned with the internationally recognised government, said the strikes targeted what he described as "vital targets". He did not provide further details about the targets or the extent of the strikes.The strikes came hours after the Houthis claimed they had attacked a Saudi Aramco facility in Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones. The group said the assault was retaliation for Saudi attacks on Sanaa and other parts of Yemen.A large plume of smoke and fire was seen near an Aramco facility in Riyadh on Saturday, according to a Reuters witness. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm that the facility had been attacked, while Aramco also did not respond to a request for comment. HOUTHIS REPORT SAUDI STRIKES ON SANAAHouthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that Saudi Arabia had carried out an attack on Sanaa. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the report.The latest exchanges come amid a sharp deterioration in the Saudi-Houthi conflict, which had largely remained frozen under a 2022 truce. The renewed fighting is part of a broader regional escalation linked to the war between Iran and the United States. The Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July and subsequently stepped up attacks on Saudi territory and shipping. The group has also made significant territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast.Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes in Yemen while backing forces loyal to the internationally recognised government in their fight against the Houthis.ARAMCO FACILITIES COME UNDER HOUTHI THREATThe Houthis said on Saturday that they had targeted the Aramco facility in Riyadh with missiles and drones. The claim followed their assertion last week that they had attacked Aramco facilities in Yanbu.Saudi Arabia said at the time that it had intercepted six ballistic missiles fired towards the Taif and Yanbu areas, but did not report damage to Aramco facilities.The renewed hostilities have raised concerns over the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and major shipping routes in and around the Red Sea. Reuters has reported that Saudi Arabia is also preparing a military offensive aimed at pushing back the Houthis and reclaiming control of the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.- EndsWith inputs from Reuters