Houthi forces launched missile strikes on the Yemeni towns of al-Makha and Marib, escalating the country's long-running conflict and raising the risk of wider regional instability. The attacks complicate already fragile peace efforts.
Two fronts under fire
The strikes hit al-Makha, a port town on the Red Sea coast, and Marib, a city in the country's oil-rich east. Both have been flashpoints in the war between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. The missile attacks mark a sharp escalation in a conflict that has dragged on for years.
A wider war risk
The escalation risks drawing in more international actors. The Red Sea shipping lanes near al-Makha are a vital artery for global trade, and any disruption there could have ripple effects far beyond Yemen. The strikes also raise the stakes for regional powers already involved in the conflict, making a broader confrontation more likely.
Peace efforts under strain
The timing of the strikes complicates peace efforts. Diplomats have been trying to broker a ceasefire, but the new attacks make a negotiated settlement harder to reach. The Houthis' decision to escalate suggests they are not ready to de-escalate, and the government is unlikely to accept terms while under fire.
The strikes on al-Makha and Marib leave the region on edge, with peace efforts now facing a new obstacle.
