Saudi Arabia and Houthis Exchange Missile and Air Strikes

The Government of Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels engaged in a series of escalating military strikes between July 24 and 26, 2026. The conflict intensified after the Houthis declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 20 and attacked several oil tankers, including the NCC MASA. In response, a Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on July 24 targeting Houthi military sites, telecommunications facilities, and a military camp on Kamaran Island, as well as a naval base in Hodeidah.

Retaliatory Houthi operations on July 25 and 26 targeted the southern Saudi city of Jizan, the King Khalid Air Base near Khamis Mushait, and oil refineries in Yanbu. These strikes caused fires and power outages in Jizan and forced the suspension of operations at two international airports. Greek military personnel operating a U.S.-made Patriot battery intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Yanbu refineries. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree also claimed drone and missile attacks on the tankers ENCELIA and LAYLA.

This escalation is part of a broader regional conflict involving the United States and Iran. While the U.S. military conducted 13 consecutive nights of strikes on Iranian targets to prevent the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran retaliated by striking U.S. assets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. President Donald Trump stated that while he is ready to launch major military operations, he is maintaining negotiations with Tehran, noting that Iran is becoming more serious in talks to avoid further escalation.