Houthis Claim Retaliatory Missile and Drone Attacks on Riyadh
At a glance
- Houthi rebels claim retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Riyadh.
- The attacks are a stated response to recent Saudi-led coalition airstrikes.
- The coalition had previously reported significant gains near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
Story so far
The conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition has recently intensified. The coalition launched a major counter-offensive in Yemen, including in the Hodeidah governorate and near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, claiming significant Houthi casualties. This followed a series of Houthi-claimed attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including airports, which caused flight disruptions in Riyadh.
Latest development
Houthi rebels claim to have launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Riyadh, stating it was a response to recent coalition airstrikes. The group has threatened further attacks.
Latest updates
Houthi rebels in Yemen claim to have launched a new wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Riyadh. In a statement, the group said the strikes were a response to recent Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, referred to as "Fajr al-Yaman" (Dawn of Yemen).
Reports indicated explosions were heard in the Saudi capital, with some claims that a projectile targeted Riyadh's international airport. The Houthis have threatened to continue their attacks.
This follows a major coalition offensive where coalition forces reported killing approximately 100 to 160 Houthi fighters and capturing territory near the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Available reports suggest fighting is ongoing in the area.
Flight operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh have resumed after a suspension of approximately 100 minutes following recent attacks. According to flight data, the disruption caused delays for at least 156 flights, with some inbound services from cities including Sialkot and Istanbul being diverted to other Saudi airports.
Meanwhile, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman stated that the members of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition are united against attacks targeting the Kingdom and Islamic holy sites. He announced that 'collective defense measures' would be activated against the responsible elements and their facilitators.
Attacks on Saudi Arabia's airports in Jazan and Najran on Monday evening injured three people and caused limited damage, the kingdom's General Authority of Civil Aviation has confirmed. The authority stated it was assessing the damage at King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport.
The attacks come as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces continue a major offensive against Houthi-held territory, with Riyadh increasing its airstrikes in support of the campaign. The Houthis have responded with a series of missile and drone attacks on targets inside Saudi Arabia.
Responses
Latest Fact Checks
Two Saudi airports targeted on Monday as fighting with Yemen's Houthis escalates
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s airports in Jazan and Najran were targeted in two attacks on Monday evening, injuring three people and causing limited damage, the Saudi aviation authority said, as hostilities between the kingdom and Yemen’s Houthis escalated.
ریاض ایئرپورٹ، آرامکو ریفائنری پر حملے، سعودی اتحاد کا جوابی وار ،حوثی اہداف تباہ کر دیئے
یمن میں حوثی باغیوں اور سعودی حمایت یافتہ حکومتی فورسز کے درمیان لڑائی ایک بار پھر شدت اختیار کر گئی ہے، حوثیوں نے دعویٰ کیا ہے کہ انہوں نے سعودی دارالحکومت ریاض کے کنگ خالد انٹرنیشنل ایئرپورٹ، سعودی آرامکو کی ریفائنری اور جنوبی سعودی عرب کے دیگر اہد
The report about Pakistan’s potential military assistance needs more clarity. A diplomatic path to de-escalation should be the highest priority for everyone involved.
The number of conflicting claims from all parties involved makes it very difficult to get a clear picture of the situation on the ground. The humanitarian impact, however, is tragically clear.