Saudi Arabia has launched a retaliatory strike against Houthi forces in Yemen, destroying 82 "legitimate military targets" after a series of deadly attacks on the kingdom's international airports. The attacks, claimed by the Iran-backed Houthis, killed three people and wounded 36. The Saudi-led military coalition that backs pro-government forces in Yemen said it had destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform used in the attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which included firing a ballistic missile at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and targeting Abha International Airport. The Saudi civil aviation authority reported that an Egyptian and an Algerian national were killed at Abha airport, while a Sudanese national was killed at the airport in Riyadh. The coalition directly blamed Houthi forces for the attacks and vowed to retaliate.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has deepened in recent weeks, with the Houthis seizing control of the western coastline along the Red Sea. The Saudi-led coalition has been providing air support for the Yemeni government's counter-offensive, which aims to roll back the Houthi advances. The conflict has displaced over 200,000 people within Yemen, according to the United Nations.
The Houthis have been battling for territory against Saudi-backed forces since the civil war reignited in July. The group controls most of Yemen's northwest and has been fighting for over a decade. The humanitarian crisis caused by the war has left most of the nation's population dependent on aid. Many civilians have been affected by the conflict, with some residents reporting being "terrified" of the Houthis.
The Yemeni government has announced a goal of retaking all Houthi territory, which is home to most of the country's population. The government claims to have pushed Houthi fighters out of strategic areas on the Red Sea and the port city of Mocha. However, the Houthis say they are holding their territory, and military sources from both sides have reported no major changes on the ground.
The conflict has also affected air traffic, with a flight from Cairo being diverted to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia after a missile landed near the runway at Aden airport. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha airport and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, claiming to have hit their targets accurately. The Saudi-led coalition has been working to restore stability in the region.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with new clashes reported in the west of the country, leaving at least 62 combatants dead. The humanitarian crisis caused by the war continues to worsen, with most of the nation's population dependent on aid. The international community is working to find a solution to the conflict, but the situation remains complex and challenging.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia has launched a retaliatory strike against Houthi forces in Yemen, destroying 82 "legitimate military targets".
- The conflict has displaced over 200,000 people within Yemen, according to the United Nations.
- The humanitarian crisis caused by the war has left most of the nation's population dependent on aid.
