Saudi-Houthi clash opens new front in Gulf conflict, further imperils energy routes

Riyadh cites “red line” over Mecca; Houthis deny. Escalation risks global oil flows, with Pakistan and Turkey facing tough defence pact choices

The war in West Asia has acquired yet another dangerous dimension. The fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, dormant for several years, has erupted with new intensity, adding another front to an already boiling regional conflict.

The Houthis have expanded their hold along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and are threatening Saudi energy infrastructure and the vital Bab el-Mandeb waterway, while Riyadh has responded with air strikes on Houthi positions all across the country. According to the Houthis, Saudi Arabia had conducted nearly 350 strikes on their positions.

'Worst escalation since 2022'

Prasanta Kumar Pradhan of the West Asia Centre at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi says the current conflict is the worst since 2022.

“The current military escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis represents the most serious deterioration in their relations since the expiry of the UN-brokered ceasefire between the Yemeni government and the Houthis in October 2022,” he says.

“Although the ceasefire was not renewed, an informal truce largely persisted and the Saudi-Iran rapprochement in March 2023 contributed to sustaining this truce in Yemen,” he explains.

Multiple threats to global energy markets

“The continuing expansion of the conflict in Yemen and reports of attacks inside Saudi Arabia is a dangerous escalation that can have far reaching implications for Saudi and regional security. It puts the Kingdom’s security to an unprecedented threat and would likely require a military response or mediation through Oman or others,” said Muddassir Quamar of JNU’s Centre for West Asian Studies.

“The Houthis’ attack is also posing a threat to security in the Red Sea region, which might affect the global energy security scenario,” he added.