The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthis said on Saturday it had intercepted drones and ballistic missiles launched by the group towards Riyadh and other areas. The coalition's air defences intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthi militia towards the Riyadh area, a spokesman said. The drones were part of a series of escalating Houthi attacks since July, which have wounded civilians, including women and children.
The Houthi attacks have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, hitting its tankers and seizing swathes of Yemen's Red Sea coast vital for oil exports. This has caused energy prices to jump, while also raining missiles on the kingdom. The United Nations Security Council earlier condemned escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi fighters, noting the devastating impact on civilians.
Hezam Al-Assad, a member of the Houthi Political Bureau, said on Saturday that the group's armed forces view the recent operation as merely a small-scale rehearsal for a full-scale escalation. The Houthis have been waging a ground campaign against Yemeni forces, threatening a humanitarian crisis. The conflict has displaced 138,000 people across Yemen since August, including 70,000 children, according to the United Nations.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, denounced the Houthi attacks on Saturday. He said the escalation constitutes a flagrant violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty and poses a direct threat to the security and safety of civilians and the stability of the region. Albudaiwi called on the international community to adopt a firm stance to end the attacks and hold the Houthis accountable.
On Friday, the head of Yemen's governing body, Rashad al-Alimi, called for a general mobilisation to counter the Houthi offensive. The conflict has caused widespread destruction and displacement, with many civilians caught in the middle. The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence and its impact on the region.
The Saudi-led coalition's interception of the drones and ballistic missiles is part of its efforts to protect the kingdom from Houthi attacks. The coalition has been battling the Houthis in Yemen for several years, with the conflict escalating in recent months. The United Nations has been working to broker a peace deal, but so far, efforts have been unsuccessful.
The conflict in Yemen has had a devastating impact on civilians, with many facing food and water shortages, as well as a lack of access to basic services. The international community has called for an end to the violence and a return to peace talks. The situation remains volatile, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
Key points
- The Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthi militia towards Riyadh.
- The Houthi attacks have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, hitting its tankers and seizing swathes of Yemen's Red Sea coast.
- The conflict has displaced 138,000 people across Yemen since August, including 70,000 children, according to the United Nations.
