After the Houthis claimed to launch an attack on Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, footage of flames and thick smoke near Riyadh Airport drew widespread attention. As fighting in Yemen continues to escalate, the conflict is no longer confined within Yemen’s borders. It further affects Saudi domestic security, Red Sea shipping and global crude oil supply expectations.

Attack Spillover Impacts Energy and Shipping

The Houthis control Yemen’s most densely populated regions and most northern areas. Since announcing a maritime blockade against Riyadh in July, they have kept launching strikes on Saudi Arabia, targeting Saudi vessels, cities, energy infrastructure and shipping routes. These operations are viewed as posing new threats to global oil supplies and putting major alternative export routes for Gulf countries via the Red Sea at risk. This risk is especially sensitive amid disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Friday that the group foiled an unspecified "criminal plot" in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, blaming Saudi Arabia and vowing to respond. The Houthi side also claimed that the Saudi Air Force had carried out hundreds of airstrikes against them in recent days.

Turkey Offers Support

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that given continuous Houthi attacks, Saudi Arabia may have military needs, and Turkey is ready to provide assistance under a trilateral defence agreement that also includes Pakistan.

In an interview with NTV, Fidan said it remains unclear what kind of support Turkey will provide, yet Saudi Arabia’s needs may include "some technical matters". The trilateral agreement signed last month stipulates that an armed attack on any of the three countries shall be regarded as a joint attack against all three signatories.

Iran-US Negotiations Still Underway

The exchanges of fire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have turned into a new battlefield within a broader conflict. The wider war began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February. US President Donald Trump has rejected Saudi Arabia’s request for direct US military intervention against the Houthis.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in an Al Jazeera interview aired on Saturday that Tehran hopes the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis will end, adding he believes Yemenis also want to reach a settlement with Saudi Arabia.

Rezaei also said Iran has conveyed conditions to mediators for restarting stalled negotiations with the United States, including "ending the war on all fronts". He stated Iran is still consulting with mediators Qatar and Pakistan and awaiting a response from Trump.

UN Security Council Strongly Condemns

The UN Security Council issued a statement on Friday, condemning in "the strongest terms" continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, which have injured civilians, including women and children.

The Security Council also condemned the "military escalation by the Houthis in Yemen". At the market level, if the situation around the Red Sea continues to deteriorate, uncertainty over crude oil transportation and Gulf export routes will remain a focus for energy markets and disturb risk appetite.