The Middle East crisis is apparently not content with just being a crisis. It now wants to be a full-blown, multi-country, missile-and-drone spectacular. On Thursday, the Iran-aligned Houthis struck military camps in Yemen, killing at least 30 government troops, with some reports putting the death toll as high as 58. Because why stop at a nice round number when you can go for the high score?

The Houthis, ever the helpful hosts, claimed they carried out the missile and drone strikes in Marib and Hadramout provinces after observing a large Saudi military buildup. They also claimed to have destroyed military camps, weapons depots, and vehicles. Yemen's defence ministry, in a statement that could double as a dramatic pause, said only that its armed forces would respond 'at the appropriate place and time,' while the health minister ordered medical facilities to increase readiness to treat wounded soldiers. Because apparently, 'appropriate place and time' is code for 'we'll get back to you on that.'

Yemeni sources say they believe Saudi Arabia is preparing a major military offensive against the Houthis by sea and possibly by land in central Yemen, aiming to break their chokehold on Saudi oil exports through the southern Red Sea. Because nothing says 'peaceful resolution' like a potential amphibious assault.

In a separate attack early on Friday, a Saudi official accused the Houthis of indiscriminately shelling civilian areas in southern Najran province, injuring 11 civilians, including a four-year-old child. Because nothing says 'precision strike' like hitting a kindergartener. Maj General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition supporting Yemen's government, said the coalition would continue taking all necessary measures to protect civilians. The injured included seven Saudis, one Yemeni, two Egyptians, and one Pakistani national. The Houthis and Iran, for their part, maintained radio silence on Friday's attack, perhaps pondering the meaning of 'indiscriminate.'

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have been vying for control of Yemen for over a decade, but in the past month, the uneasy status quo has unravelled faster than a cheap sweater. The Houthis have been mounting attacks against Saudi Aramco oil facilities, and last month declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Because who needs oil when you can have a good old-fashioned blockade?

A senior Saudi official, speaking on condition of anonymity (because naming names is so passé), said the kingdom was expecting imminent coordinated attacks from the north and south by Iraqi militias and the Houthis, all under the supervision of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Intelligence reports from Saudi Arabia, the US, and other regional countries indicated civilian and economic sites could be targeted, including energy infrastructure, ports, and airports. Saudi Arabia also observed drones and missiles being moved, suggesting coordinated operations from both directions. It's like a military parade, but with more explosions.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman said negotiations on an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz were in their 'final stage' of drafting. The agreement is likely contingent on the US lifting its blockade on Iran's ports. The strait is crucial to global shipping and energy supplies - before the war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, about one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway. Because nothing says 'global stability' like a potential shutdown of a fifth of the world's energy supply.