Yemen rebels report about 40 Saudi strikes in fresh attack
Houthi forces said Saudi Arabia carried out roughly 40 airstrikes across four Yemeni provinces, escalating the conflict that threatens Red Sea shipping and regional oil markets.
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Negative · Do not buy
Oil & Gas sector faces downside risk from potential Red Sea shipping disruptions, leading to a Don't buy bias on related tickers.
Sectors & Direction
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Desk call: Do not buy · Negatively affected
- Oil & GasNegatively affected
- MarketsNegatively affected
- EconomyNegatively affected
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Sectors: Oil & Gas, Markets, Economy — Negative · Do not buy. PSX tickers: MARI, OGDC. Oil & Gas sector faces downside risk from potential Red Sea shipping disruptions, leading to a Don't buy bias on related tickers.
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Open on Business Recorder## Conflict escalation
Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels announced that Saudi forces launched around 40 airstrikes on Thursday in the governorates of Taiz, Hodeida, Al‑Jawf and Marib. The strikes were described by the Houthi news agency Saba as a direct response to recent Houthi attacks on Saudi cities.
## Recent Houthi offensive
Last week the Houthis began a large‑scale offensive against Yemeni government troops, who are supported by Saudi Arabia. The rebels also fired ballistic missiles and drones at several southern Saudi cities, causing dozens of injuries.
## Regional shipping concerns
The Houthis are aiming to push toward the Red Sea coastline that borders the strategic Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil and container traffic. Disruption of this waterway could affect the flow of crude and refined products, especially as the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian pressure.
## Human cost and broader context
Since the renewed fighting started in July, more than 500 combatants have been killed, according to an AFP tally. The conflict has been reignited by the wider Middle East war that began after the US‑Israeli offensive against Iran in February.
## Saudi civil defence alerts
Saudi civil defence issued warnings of potential danger in the Khamis Mushait and Abha areas, underscoring the heightened threat perception on both sides of the border.