Not Iran! Arab Region Becomes New Battleground, Global Threat Looms
The conflict in the Middle East has expanded into Yemen after Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes, while the Iran-backed Houthi group claimed to have fired drones and missiles at several Saudi cities on Wednesday (16/09/2026).
These attacks occurred after the Houthis moved swiftly to seize several coastal areas of the Red Sea in Yemen and islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This development expands the scope of Iranian influence within the ongoing regional war.
As a sign of the increasing risk of conflict in this new theatre, the United States has tightened travel warnings for Saudi Arabia. The US government has prohibited its employees from travelling to areas within a 20-mile (approximately 32-kilometre) radius of the Saudi-Yemen border.
The Houthis released combat footage on Wednesday showing their fighters seizing armoured vehicles belonging to Saudi-backed forces. In the footage, fighter jets could be seen flying overhead, while large explosions erupted in the desert region.
According to Reuters, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that his group had launched further drone and missile attacks against the major Saudi oil port of Yanbu in the Red Sea, as well as the Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait, in the southern part of the kingdom. However, he did not specify when these attacks took place.
Yanbu and Khamis Mushait were among several locations that received security warnings from the Saudi government on Tuesday. Nevertheless, as of Wednesday, no similar announcement had been issued.
Previously, Saree also claimed that the Houthis had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet, though no direct evidence was immediately presented to support this claim.
Saree stated that Saudi Arabia had conducted up to 450 airstrikes in Yemen throughout this week.
A Yemeni government official, supported by Saudi Arabia and controlling the southern part of the country, acknowledged that their forces, alongside the Saudi military, conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions. However, the Riyadh government has yet to confirm these strikes.
In the past week, the Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on Saudi Arabian territory, triggering security alarms in several southern and western cities. Attacks attributed to Iran-aligned groups in Iraq last week also caused disruptions to the Saudi East-West Pipeline.
This pipeline is a primary route used to divert oil exports from the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently under blockade.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia stated that its air defence systems successfully intercepted a Houthable drone south of Makkah before it entered the restricted airspace over the holy city.
Riyadh described the attack as crossing a “red line,” as it was deemed a threat to sites sacred to Islam.
However, Saree denied that the Houthis were targeting Makkah, claiming the Saudi report was part of a propaganda campaign.
Meanwhile, Reuters sources indicate that US officials met with Houthi representatives in Oman last weekend. During this meeting, the Houthis reportedly conveyed that they had no intention of attacking American ships and remained committed to the ceasefire reached with the US last year.
Threat of Global Energy Supply Crisis
The expansion of the war into Yemen has the potential to worsen the global energy supply shortage triggered by the US and Israel’s war against Iran over the last six months. The conflict is disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil trade.
Brent crude oil prices stood at around US$108 per barrel on Wednesday, approaching the highest levels since May. Meanwhile, average retail diesel prices in the United States, which are politically sensitive, hit a new record, exceeding US$6.30 per gallon for the first time.
Traders estimate that a prolonged closure of the Saudi East-West Pipeline could reduce global oil supplies by up to 4%. Saudi Arabia has not yet explained when pipeline operations will return to normal.
However, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC on Tuesday that the flow of crude oil through the network is expected to resume within a few days.
Saudi Arabia has led a coalition fighting the Houthis since 2015. The conflict had eased in recent years following a ceasefire.
However, the situation has deteriorated again after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July and began attacking the southern region of the kingdom.
Violence escalated sharply this month after militant groups managed to push back forces affiliated with the internationally recognised Yemeni government and supported by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump last week to request military support. So far, US assistance is reported to be limited to intelligence support.
The US previously bombarded Houthi positions for two months in 2025. However, that campaign was halted after an agreement was reached, which Trump described as a ceasefire to end attacks on shipping.