Fighting between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi-backed forces has flared again after years of relative calm. Here is what we know so far.

Over the weekend of October 3-4, the Houthis claimed missile and drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais. Their spokesman said the strikes caused fires and were retaliation for Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen.

An AFP journalist saw flames and smoke at an Aramco refinery south of Riyadh. Saudi authorities have not confirmed an attack, and the coalition called the Houthi claims ‘misleading’.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s internationally recognised government announced military operations to reclaim territory from the Houthis, who have held the capital Sanaa for over a decade.

The stakes are high. The Houthis control most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast along the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital shipping lane. They have announced a naval blockade on Saudi-linked vessels. With oil infrastructure in the line of fire, the escalation threatens both regional stability and energy markets.