The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are escalating their threats against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The rebels do not appear intimidated by the Saudi coalition. The Yemeni war is increasingly entangled in the American conflict with Iran, which doesn’t augur well for the Yemenis.

The Zaydi Shiite Houthis attacked Saudi vessels in the Red Sea on July 25. The Houthis claimed that they struck a Saudi warship; the Saudis say it was two oil tankers and announced that they were temporarily halting oil shipments via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Their announcement was not followed by others. Oil prices did not jump.

The rebels also claimed that they launched a drone that targeted Abu Dhabi airport. The Emiratis denied this. The Houthis said Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh should be evacuated immediately before the rebels fire more missiles and drones at them. The Iranian media gleefully repeated the dire warnings on the front page of newspapers.

The Houthis justify their behavior as an appropriate response to the four years of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Yemen’s cities and the blockade that has led to mass malnutrition.