Yemeni diplomat says Houthis want to drag Saudi Arabia into war
News Source
β’Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:18:19 +0000
π° What Happened
Yemen's ambassador to Qatar says the Houthi group wants to drag Saudi Arabia into the war. Rajeh Hussain Farhan Badi spoke to Al Jazeera about the danger. He says the Houthis are firing at Saudi territory and at civilian buildings.
The ambassador also blames the Houthis for attacks on ships linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. He argues these strikes are meant to force Saudi forces into a wider fight. Saudi Arabia has not yet said how it will respond.
π The Backstory
The Houthis seized Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014 and pushed out the government. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in 2015 to back the old government. Since then Yemen has been split apart by years of fighting.
The Houthis have long fired drones and missiles toward Saudi cities. They also attacked ships in the Red Sea during the war in Gaza. A ceasefire agreed in 2022 has mostly held, but both sides still stay on edge.
π― Why It Matters
If Saudi Arabia joins open war with the Houthis, the whole region could burn hotter. Shipping lanes like the Red Sea may close, pushing up oil prices. More war would deepen Yemen's suffering, where millions already need aid.
Yemen's ambassador to Qatar says the Houthi group wants to drag Saudi Arabia into the war. Rajeh Hussain Farhan Badi spoke to Al Jazeera about the danger. He says the Houthis are firing at Saudi territory and at civilian buildings.
The ambassador also blames the Houthis for attacks on ships linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. He argues these strikes are meant to force Saudi forces into a wider fight. Saudi Arabia has not yet said how it will respond.
The Houthis seized Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014 and pushed out the government. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in 2015 to back the old government. Since then Yemen has been split apart by years of fighting.
The Houthis have long fired drones and missiles toward Saudi cities. They also attacked ships in the Red Sea during the war in Gaza. A ceasefire agreed in 2022 has mostly held, but both sides still stay on edge.
If Saudi Arabia joins open war with the Houthis, the whole region could burn hotter. Shipping lanes like the Red Sea may close, pushing up oil prices. More war would deepen Yemen's suffering, where millions already need aid.