🔻 Houthi rebels threatened the Saudi coalition in retaliation; reports of an explosion in Jazan in the southwest of Saudi Arabia

Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened Saudi Arabia with retaliatory action on Saturday and accused the country of targeting civilian infrastructure; a development that signals a further expansion of the war in the region.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia targeted Houthi military positions in Hodeidah. Media affiliated with the group reported that two people were injured. The attacks were carried out after the Houthis announced that they had imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and targeted ships belonging to that country.

At the same time, Iranian media, citing some Arab media outlets, reported that the sounds of several explosions were heard in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. So far, Saudi officials have not commented on these explosions or any possible damage.

The escalation of fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has opened a new front in the regional war—one that, alongside Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has put Saudi Arabia’s main sea routes under threat.