Houthi terrorists attacked a refinery in Saudi Arabia and threaten strategic maritime routes

The Yemeni Houthi terrorists, backed by Iran, claimed this Sunday a new attack against positions and equipment of Saudi troops in the coastal city of Mokha, on the Red Sea, hours after attributing another operation against an Aramco oil facility in Saudi territory. The succession of attacks represents a new escalation of the conflict and increases risks to regional security and maritime trade.

The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated that the group carried out a large-scale operation against concentrations of Saudi troops and weapon depots in Mokha, using numerous ballistic missiles and drones. Local residents reported hearing explosions, while a Yemeni government official confirmed that an attack occurred in the area.

Mokha is one of the main ports under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government and has gained importance in recent years as an alternative to ports controlled by the Houthis, particularly Hodeida.

The attack occurred just hours after the Houthis claimed to have launched a drone against an Aramco refinery in Jazan, in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The group presented the operation as retaliation for alleged Saudi drone attacks against the Yemeni provinces of Hajjah and Saada.

The Saudi Ministry of Energy reported a fire at the facility, although no casualties were recorded and authorities indicated that the flames were controlled. The ministry did not initially specify the cause of the fire.

The timing coordination of both operations highlights an increasingly aggressive pressure strategy against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are not only attacking military targets, but have also demonstrated their ability and willingness to threaten energy infrastructure and strategic trade routes.

This behavior has raised strong concerns due to the consequences it may provoke beyond the confrontation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Attacks on oil facilities and ports increase the risk of disruptions in energy supply and may force commercial vessels to alter their routes, raising international transportation costs.

At the end of July, the Houthis also announced a supposed naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Bab el Mandeb strait, one of the main maritime corridors in the world. The group threatened to prevent the loading and unloading of vessels at Saudi ports, thus expanding their military campaign to maritime traffic.

The threat is particularly significant because Bab el Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and constitutes a fundamental route for international trade. Houthi actions, combined with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, raise concerns about possible simultaneous disruptions at two strategic points for energy transportation.

Criticism against the Houthis also focuses on their use of attacks against strategic infrastructure as a tool of political pressure. Although the group justifies its operations as retaliation against Saudi actions, their drone and missile attacks on oil facilities and ports increase the risk to civilians, workers, and critical infrastructure and contribute to prolonging instability in Yemen.

The escalation also threatens to rekindle the internal Yemeni conflict. A truce reached in 2022 allowed for the cessation of the most intense fighting between the parties, but the increase in military operations could again deteriorate that fragile balance.

In parallel, Iran and Oman are holding talks to try to establish a mechanism that would allow for the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. According to sources cited in the negotiations, ships could use a route close to the Iranian coast to enter and another near the Omani coast to exit, without paying tolls during a provisional period.

The eventual agreement would seek to restore a prior understanding between Washington and Tehran and set a 60-day deadline to negotiate on the Iranian nuclear program. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that an agreement on the routes would not necessarily mean the reopening of the strait, as Tehran maintains other conditions.

According to the U.S. Central Command, as of Saturday, the blockade in Hormuz had already diverted 53 commercial vessels, in addition to leaving two vessels disabled and recording the boarding of two others.