Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted suspected Houthi drones over Riyadh and in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This announcement came as the UN Security Council voted to extend sanctions on the Iran-aligned group.
Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the coalition, reported the interceptions on Thursday via the Saudi Press Agency. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed their attacks targeted oil infrastructure and military assets, including a drone strike on a pumping station along the East-West Pipeline and the Yanbu oil facility on the Red Sea.
Riyadh has redirected around 4 million barrels of crude oil daily through the East-West Pipeline, representing about 4% of the global supply. Saree also indicated a drone attack on a military cargo plane at Sharurah airport near Yemen’s border and a successful ballistic missile strike on Khamis Mushait airbase. Additionally, he mentioned an attempt to hit the Saudi Aramco headquarters in Riyadh while denying that the group targeted the Mecca region.
Coalition forces, supporting Yemen’s recognised government, continue to engage the Houthis across various fronts, targeting leaders, vehicles, and weaponry. The Yemeni Defence Ministry stated the campaign against the Houthis is progressing towards its goals, as reported by the pro-government Saba news agency. A meeting in Marib discussed strategies to enhance coordination among military units involved in the “Dawn of Yemen” offensive.
On the same day, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of sanctions related to Yemen, including asset freezes and travel bans, while insisting Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia cease. The mandate of the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen was also extended, with UNSC members urging all parties to avoid escalatory actions and settle disputes through negotiation.
The resolution condemned the Houthis’ military escalation and cross-border attacks while reaffirming support for Saudi and Yemeni territorial integrity. It clarified that sanctions should not affect humanitarian assistance or vital supplies for civilians.
Additionally, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 333,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since August, including more than 24,000 in the past week.
Saudi Arabia is encouraging the European Union to classify the Houthi movement as a “terrorist organisation.” However, EU officials expressed concern that this designation could jeopardise future peace negotiations. EU foreign policy spokesperson Anouar El-Anouni confirmed ongoing communication with Riyadh regarding regional matters but withheld comments on specific discussions.
