As thousands flee Yemen by sea amid intensified fighting between Iran-backed Houthi militants and Saudi-backed government forces, families who arrived in Djibouti recounted their perilous journey and the terrifying scenes they left behind ▻ ↧ Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes, Yemenis take to boats to flee ... Saudi Arabia ​and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis exchanged fresh strikes across their border on Thursday and Yemenis took to boats in the Red Sea to escape fighting, as the spreading Middle ‌East war created new threats to global oil supplies.