It Started With Saudi Oil Tankers
On Wednesday, the Houthis attacked two Saudi-flagged oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, roughly 130 kilometres off the Saudi coast in the Red Sea. The Houthis said the attack was in response to the tankers violating a naval blockade the group had imposed on Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the Encelia caught fire near its bow, though all crew members were reported safe.
Another Saudi Vessel Targeted
On Friday, another Saudi-owned vessel, the NCC MASA, was struck while sailing in the Red Sea, according to Saudi state media.
The ship sustained minor damage to its hull but continued its voyage after authorities confirmed it was safe to proceed.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Transport condemned the attack as a violation of international laws protecting commercial shipping.
Saudi Arabia Strikes Back at Hodeidah
In response, the Saudi-led coalition launched strikes on the Houthi-held city of Hodeidah and Kamaran Island.
The strikes targeted telecommunications infrastructure and facilities near Hodeidah, according to Houthi-affiliated media. The coalition said the operation was a “proportionate military response” to the tanker attacks, adding that Hodeidah’s port itself was not targeted and remained open for shipping.
Houthis Hit Saudi Aramco Facility and King Khalid Air Base
The Houthis then escalated further, striking a facility belonging to Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil company, Aramco, in the Jazan region — triggering a large fire, according to reports.
Shortly after, the Houthis also launched a ballistic missile strike on King Khalid Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, marking the group’s first major attack on a Saudi military base in years.
What This Means Going Forward
This latest round of retaliation suggests a new front is opening up in the wider regional conflict. If fighting spreads further across the region, the consequences could be severe — Saudi Arabia alone is home to millions of South Asian workers.
A direct war breaking out could force many of these workers to abandon their jobs and return home, disrupting both their livelihoods and the remittances their families depend on.
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