Yemen fighting toll tops 500; Red Cross urges de-escalation

The Red Cross called for urgent steps to de-escalate Yemen-Saudi fighting as more than 500 people have been killed since the Houthis began a campaign last Thursday to control the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to an AFP tally based on sources from both sides.

Houthi media reported new Saudi strikes in Yemen after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil sites. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the latest reported strikes.

Saudi authorities said overnight Houthi attacks caused temporary shutdowns at oil sites and left 73 people injured. The Houthis said they fired dozens of ballistic missiles, hitting Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base and facilities belonging to state oil company Aramco in Abha and Jizan.

A Saudi energy ministry source quoted by the Saudi Press Agency said several energy-sector facilities and installations in the south were targeted, causing fires, a temporary halt in some operations and several injuries.

Since the Houthi campaign began, at least 216 government forces and 278 Houthi fighters have been killed, according to sources from both sides who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. At least 29 civilians have also been killed.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in Moscow that the kingdom still supported diplomacy but would defend itself and its interests. The Saudi-led coalition said it would take measures to respond to the source of the threat.

The escalation follows the collapse in July of a four-year truce in Yemen's civil war. The Houthis are trying to seize territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key Red Sea route for Saudi oil shipments while Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has slowed Gulf exports.