Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Ansarullah Houthi group have exchanged fresh military attacks, heightening tensions despite diplomatic efforts to reduce the Yemen conflict. In a report published on July 26, the Houthis said they launched successive attacks on the Saudi cities of Yanbu and Jizan, targeting multiple oil facilities with more than 12 cruise and ballistic missiles and Yemen-made drones.

The Houthis described the operation as fully successful and said all designated targets were hit. Saudi authorities, however, said every incoming attack from the Houthis had been successfully intercepted in the air. The claimed Houthi response came a day after Saudi attacks in Yemen’s Hodeidah province and on the strategically important Kamaran Island in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia said its strikes targeted Houthi positions on the island.

The UN special envoy to Yemen and Omani officials urged both sides to return to talks immediately. UN, Saudi and Houthi representatives are in Oman for a possible second round of peace talks. Diplomats said attacks were unlikely to stop before negotiations begin. The Houthis said they would continue missile attacks and a naval blockade unless the blockade on Sanaa airport and Hodeidah port is lifted, with Aramco oil facilities as main targets.