Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced that at least four people were killed in a Houthi ballistic missile attack on the Red Sea port city of Al-Makha on Friday. The government stated that the Iran-aligned Houthi group fired six ballistic missiles at the city, significantly raising hostilities between the Houthis and their Saudi-backed opposition.

The attack on Al-Makha, a strategically important port, comes amid a broader escalation of conflict in Yemen and heightened regional tensions linked to the US-Israel war on Iran. The Houthis have become a key player in this regional dynamic, raising concerns about a potential return to large-scale warfare in Yemen.

Forces aligned with the Yemeni government reported that the Houthi strike targeted civilian infrastructure and national assets at the port. Initial reports indicated four civilians died and several fishing boats were destroyed. An unnamed Yemeni government military official, however, told AFP news agency that the attack resulted in at least eight fatalities, including two security personnel.

In response to the Al-Makha attack, the Houthis claimed responsibility, stating they targeted "buildups, weapons and warships" belonging to Saudi-backed forces and "mercenaries" in the area with a substantial number of ballistic missiles. They asserted that boats and weapons were destroyed in the operation.

Separately, the Houthi-run SABA news agency cited a military source claiming the group launched a drone attack on an Aramco facility in Najran, Saudi Arabia. This action was reportedly a retaliation for Saudi military aircraft allegedly entering airspace over Yemen's Saada governorate. Saudi authorities and Aramco have not yet confirmed this incident.

These reported attacks follow a series of escalations. The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for drone strikes on a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan on Thursday. The renewed violence in Yemen occurs while US-Iran diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with Iran demanding the US lift sanctions and withdraw troops, while the US president has called for compensation from Iran.

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing for years, with the Houthi movement controlling significant territory, including the capital Sanaa. The internationally recognised government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, has been fighting to regain control. This latest attack highlights the persistent instability and the potential for the conflict to draw in regional powers.

Experts have voiced concerns that the ongoing regional tensions could further destabilize Yemen, drawing it deeper into the wider geopolitical struggle. The targeting of port facilities and infrastructure raises questions about the Houthis' strategic objectives and their capacity to sustain offensive operations amidst fluctuating regional dynamics.