Key facts
- The Saudi-led coalition announced that Houthi forces attacked the Saudi Arabian cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan.
- The attacks involved ballistic missiles and drones, according to the coalition.
- At least 73 people were injured in the attacks, the coalition stated.
- Several energy-sector facilities and installations in Saudi Arabia's southern region were targeted, causing fires and temporary operational disruptions.
- The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting Saudi energy infrastructure, stating it was retaliation for recent Saudi attacks on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Yemen's Houthi group launched attacks on three Saudi Arabian cities—Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan—using ballistic missiles and drones, according to a statement from the Saudi-led coalition. The attacks resulted in at least 73 injuries and caused fires at several energy facilities in the kingdom's southern region, temporarily disrupting operations.
The coalition condemned the Houthi militia's actions, labeling them as targeting civilian and economic entities and vowing a firm response. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry confirmed that multiple energy-sector facilities were hit, prompting the deployment of specialist teams to contain fires and assess damage.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating they were retaliation for recent Saudi aerial bombardments on Houthi-controlled areas across Yemen. The group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, specifically mentioned targeting Saudi energy infrastructure operated by Saudi Aramco.
This escalation follows Saudi Arabia's announcement of counteroffensives against Houthi-held positions in Yemen. The renewed hostilities are the most significant since a UN-brokered truce halted large-scale fighting in 2022, after eight years of conflict. The increased tensions also coincide with the growing strategic importance of Yemen's Bab al-Mandeb Strait amid broader regional maritime security concerns.
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