The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group, launched an attack on al-Makha using six ballistic missiles, according to Yemen’s government. The strike targeted civilian infrastructure and national assets at the port, with initial reports indicating four civilians were killed and several fishing boats were set on fire.

Clashes Escalate Amid Regional Tensions

An unnamed military official from Yemen’s government told AFP that the attack killed at least eight people, including two security personnel, but the discrepancy in the death toll highlights the chaotic nature of the conflict and the lack of immediate confirmation from all sides.

The escalation in hostilities comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran; the Houthis have positioned themselves as a key front in the conflict, raising concerns about a return to large-scale fighting in Yemen.

Houthi Claims and Counterattacks

The Houthis claimed they targeted buildups, weapons, and warships belonging to Saudi-backed forces in al-Makha, calling them “mercenaries.” They said they destroyed boats and weapons with a large number of ballistic missiles. Separately, the Houthi-run SABA news agency reported a drone attack on an Aramco facility in the Saudi city of Najran, responding to what they described as Saudi military aircraft entering airspace over Yemen’s Saada governorate.

There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities or Aramco about the Najran attack — the reported attacks follow a recent strike by the Houthis on an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan, carried out using two drones on Thursday.

Regional Diplomatic Stalemate

Yemen’s violence occurs against the backdrop of stalled US-Iran diplomacy, while Iran’s Supreme National Security Council demanded that the US end its blockade, lift sanctions, withdraw troops, and pay reparations. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, countered by demanding that Iran pay compensation instead, and Both nations are nearing a deal on a new transit corridor through Hormuz, brokered in part by Oman.

The reported attacks and counterattacks reflect the deepening instability in the region, with Yemen serving as a flashpoint for broader geopolitical tensions, the involvement of regional actors, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, exposes the complexity of the conflict and the challenges in achieving a lasting resolution.