The Houthi rebels launched a series of retaliatory strikes against Saudi Arabia on Monday, targeting several key sites, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the Aramco refinery in Rabigh. This came after the Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes in Yemen, destroying a ballistic missile launch platform in the capital Sanaa and a storage facility containing 20 ballistic missiles in Saada.
The coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, also conducted naval strikes in Al-Hudaydah governorate, targeting Houthi weapons depots, warehouses for explosive-laden boats, and naval mines. According to coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki, the military operation aimed to foil an imminent plot to attack waterways in the southern Red Sea. The operation resulted in significant damage to Houthi naval capabilities.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni forces made significant gains on the ground, recapturing Dhubab and its airport in Taiz governorate. The coalition's aerial assault allowed Yemeni forces to advance near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which had been under siege by the Houthis for weeks. The gains marked a significant shift in the conflict, with Yemeni forces capitalizing on coalition support to retake key territory.
However, the Houthis claimed that the Saudi-led attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, in Sanaa and several other regions. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced that the retaliatory strikes involved a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, targeting key Saudi sites, including Abha Airport and the Khamis Mushait Base.
The Houthis warned airlines using Saudi airspace to cease their flights, citing the increased risk of attacks. The warning applied to all airspace except for the areas over Mecca and Medina. Saree emphasized that the Houthis have the capabilities and resources to confront any aggressive escalation, having long prepared for such a scenario.
The conflict in Yemen has seen a significant escalation in recent weeks, with both sides engaging in intense fighting and airstrikes. The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting Yemeni forces in their fight against the Houthi rebels, who have been in control of large parts of the country since 2014. The international community has expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where millions of people are in need of aid.
The retaliatory strikes by the Houthis have raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the conflict. The situation remains volatile, with both sides showing a willingness to engage in intense fighting. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has resulted in significant human suffering and displacement.
Key points
- The Houthi rebels launched retaliatory strikes against Saudi Arabia in response to coalition airstrikes in Yemen.
- The Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes in Yemen, destroying key Houthi military infrastructure.
- The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant human suffering and displacement, with millions of people in need of aid.
