Saudi warplanes resumed bombing Yemen on Monday, marking the end of a four-year pause in airstrikes against Houthi rebels. The strikes targeted Houthi positions in the Red Sea coastal region, which the rebels had seized last month. Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, regained control of much of the territory.
The attacks followed a reported increase in Houthi military activity, with rebels allegedly receiving support from Iranian military advisers. The Saudi-led coalition claims the strikes were in response to Houthi attacks on two Saudi airports earlier this week. The Houthi group has accused Yemeni government forces of killing a brigade commander in the city of Taiz.
The resumption of airstrikes has raised concerns among regional analysts, who warn of a potential escalation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The two nations have been engaged in an indirect conflict for years, with Iran supporting the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia backing the Yemeni government. The latest developments suggest a dangerous shift toward direct confrontation.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people affected by the war. The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of causing civilian casualties and damaging infrastructure, while the Houthi rebels have been criticized for their own attacks on civilian targets. The resumption of airstrikes adds to the complexity of an already volatile situation.
