Personnel from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have visited newly secured Houthi positions along Yemen's Red Sea coast. They inspected radar installations and oversaw the excavation of underground tunnels in hills overlooking Mokha and the Bab Al-Mandab strait. This information was provided by two Houthi sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday. The visits took place between Thursday and Friday.
The Iranian experts traveled from Hodeidah to make separate visits. This occurred after a rapid Houthi offensive brought key parts of the strategic western seaboard under the group's control. The fortification efforts aim to solidify the movement's grip near the vital Bab Al-Mandab Strait. This location is crucial for international shipping lanes, and the Houthis are tightening their leverage over it.
Despite mounting international concern, the Houthis insisted on Friday that their territorial gains did not threaten commercial navigation. However, they made an exception for vessels linked to Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter. The military escalation spilled deeper into the region on Saturday. Yemen's Houthis announced they launched strikes targeting sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and oil facilities in the kingdom's port city of Yanbu.
The Houthi statement came after firefighters extinguished a blaze on a fuel tank emblazoned with the logo of Saudi oil giant Aramco at a fuel depot near Riyadh's international airport. According to an AFP journalist, this incident occurred hours before the Houthi announcement. The airspace disturbance followed an overnight air raid alert issued by Saudi authorities. This was the first such warning since fighting in neighboring Yemen intensified sharply this month.
Residents told AFP they heard what sounded like a round of explosions echoing through parts of the capital. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated that the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out two successful military operations. These operations used a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. The first targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh, and the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
The incident led to major disruptions at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. However, normal traffic began to resume later. Tracking website FlightRadar24 reported these disruptions before normal traffic resumed. The escalation in the region has raised concerns about the impact on global shipping and oil supplies.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with ongoing military operations and territorial disputes. The involvement of external actors, including Iran, has added complexity to the conflict. The international community continues to monitor developments in the region, with many urging restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel inspected Houthi radar sites and tunnel construction along Yemen's Red Sea coast.
- The Houthis launched strikes targeting sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and oil facilities in Yanbu.
- The military escalation has raised concerns about the impact on global shipping and oil supplies.
