Cornered MBS turns to Saudi‑backed Yemeni forces as govt strikes Houthis?

Yemen is facing a dangerous new escalation as government forces launch retaliatory strikes against the Houthis, raising fears that the country's fragile four-year lull could collapse. Yemeni military forces reportedly targeted Houthi positions and capabilities across several front lines on August 8 after renewed attacks by the Iran-backed group. The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia faces growing regional pressure and tensions involving the Houthis continue to threaten Yemen's fragile stability. U.N. envoy Hans Grundberg has warned that Yemen faces its highest risk of large-scale war since April 2022 and urged all sides to show maximum restraint.