Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have claimed responsibility for drone and missile strikes targeting the Saudi capital Riyadh and key energy sites along the Red Sea coast.
On Saturday, black smoke was seen rising from fuel tanks near Riyadh’s international airport after authorities issued air raid alerts. This marked the first time residents were advised to stay indoors amid a recent surge in conflict with the Houthis.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea reported online that multiple ballistic and cruise missiles and drones were deployed against “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities belonging to the state-owned Aramco in Yanbu. He stated that the attacks were a response to what he termed “criminal attempts” by Saudi forces to strike the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Sarea also accused Saudi Arabia of launching 300 strikes across Yemen in the past week. The Houthis remain embroiled in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia.
In recent months, the Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia multiple times, claiming to have shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen this week. According to unconfirmed reports from AFP, fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces on Saturday resulted in 48 deaths. The Houthis reported 31 fighters killed, while government sources stated they lost 17 soldiers.
Additionally, the International Organization for Migration announced on Friday that the number of displaced individuals due to recent violence has exceeded 104,796.
