Beirut: Yemen's Houthis on Monday accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes on various areas of Yemen as the rebels push on with an offensive to seize territory bordering the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait. "The Saudi enemy targeted the provinces of Jawf, al-Bayda, Marib and Taiz with several airstrikes and cruise missiles," said the Saba news agency, which is affiliated with the Houthi movement.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the Houthis have been intensifying their military actions in a bid to gain control of regions near the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The strait is a crucial maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, making it a strategic area for both commercial and military activities. The allegations of air raids and missile strikes by Saudi Arabia further escalate tensions in the region, which has been engulfed in conflict for several years.

The Houthis' claims add a new dimension to the ongoing hostilities, raising concerns about the safety of civilians in the affected provinces. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, urging restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The accusations also highlight the complexity of the geopolitical dynamics at play, with multiple actors involved in the Yemeni conflict.