Yemen's ambassador has warned that Houthi attacks on shipping could escalate into a wider regional war, with the group threatening the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the envoy said the attacks endanger global shipping through the vital waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The warning comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with the Houthis continuing to target vessels they claim are linked to Israel.

TimesLIVE has published an explainer profiling the Houthis, a group described as Iran's allies in Yemen. The piece comes amid renewed conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which has raised fears that the fighting could contribute to wider instability across the Middle East. The explainer aims to outline who the Houthis are and their relationship with Iran, providing background context for readers following the escalating tensions in the region.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces have launched drone strikes targeting four Saudi cities, according to Legit.ng, igniting oil installations and releasing video of the attacks. The escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf and a broader Middle East conflict, pushing Brent crude prices above $99 per barrel. Saudi Arabia, described as a top United States ally, has faced repeated Houthi attacks on its energy infrastructure in past years. The reported strikes signal a further intensification of regional hostilities.

Pakistan has warned that its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, reportedly tied to the protection of Mecca, could be activated if Yemen's Houthi rebels continue attacks on the kingdom. According to Al Jazeera, Islamabad said ongoing Houthi strikes targeting Saudi territory risk triggering the pact, signalling potential Pakistani involvement. The warning underscores rising regional tensions as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia persist amid the wider Middle East conflict.

Fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces in Yemen has escalated, according to Al Jazeera. Saudi Arabia has promised firm retaliation after Houthi strikes reportedly injured 73 people and disrupted energy facilities in southern cities. The report examines what happened in the latest confrontation and what may come next, as tensions threaten to deepen the long-running conflict linked to Yemen's civil war.

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched strikes against Houthi positions on Yemen's western coast, intensifying their counteroffensive against the group, according to Al Jazeera. The reported escalation marks a renewed push by forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government against the Houthis, who control much of the country's north including the capital Sanaa. The fighting adds to the long-running conflict in Yemen, which has drawn in regional powers and caused a severe humanitarian crisis.