Saudis pound Yemen as Houthis fire back, further widening Middle East war

Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have seized Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their control over critical shipping routes. This move follows previous captures of the port city of Mokha and Perim Island, displacing more than 80,000 people since September 2023. The capture of these strategic locations increases pressure on global oil supplies, as they lie near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, crucial for moving oil from the Persian Gulf to export hubs like Yanbu, was forced to close after an attack by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. These developments coincide with heightened tensions over Iran’s ongoing conflict and its impact on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.