On the Path to Escalation? Houthis Shell Saudi Weapons Depots as a Preemptive Move Against a Saudi-American Attack

The Houthis shelled Saudi weapons depots on Yemen's western coast as a preemptive move against a planned Saudi-American attack. According to a report in Al-Akhbar, affiliated with the 'Axis of Resistance', Saudi Arabia has begun preparing for a large-scale campaign in coordination with the US and UK, aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and breaking the blockade on Saudi shipping. The Houthis have intensified air operations against positions affiliated with Riyadh.

The Houthis have begun shelling Saudi weapons depots on Yemen's western coast after receiving information about a Saudi intention to launch a large-scale campaign against them. This is according to a report published today (Thursday) in the newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with the 'Axis of Resistance'. According to the report, the campaign was supposed to be launched under the slogan 'Ensuring International Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea', in coordination with the United States and Britain, and was intended to give the US broad room for action in establishing its influence in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and subsequently to break the blockade that Yemen imposes on Saudi shipping. The Houthis have intensified their air operations this week against positions affiliated with Riyadh in western Yemen. Last week, an Indian vessel was reported hit by fire near Yemen's coast; the ship capsized and sank, but all 14 crew members were rescued safely by Yemen's coast guard. According to sources, the Americans are now trying, through Saudi Arabia, to gain control of Hormuz and the Red Sea.