Escalation fears in Middle East as Houthis attack Riyadh

The Houthis have said Saudi Arabia launched 28 strikes in several areas of Yemen in the past 24 hours, as the group and the country's Saudi-backed government clash in the revived civil war.

"The Saudi air force carried out 28 strikes targeting the governorates of Taiz, Al-Jawf, and Marib, using F-15 and Typhoon aircraft that took off from the Khamis Mushait and Taif airbases," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, in a statement.

This month, the Houthis, who already held most of Yemen's populated areas, launched a lightning offensive to take over the country's entire Red Sea coast, giving them control over the vital Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis insist that navigation of the strait is open and free except for Saudi vessels.