The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets on Friday, October 7, 2022, according to a statement by coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki. The strikes destroyed three missile launch and preparation sites used by the Houthis. Al-Maliki warned that any Houthi attacks on civilians would be met with a "strong response." The airstrikes come amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified in recent weeks. On Thursday, October 6, 2022, the Houthis launched attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, killing three Saudi citizens and injuring others from various nationalities. The airport was targeted twice, with the first strike hitting airport facilities and the second targeting a Saudia Airlines plane.
The Houthi attacks on Riyadh led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, according to data from FlightAware. The Indian Embassy later announced that Air India had suspended flights to Riyadh until Saturday, October 8. Lufthansa Group also stated that its airlines would suspend flights to Riyadh until October 16. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a warning to airlines, advising them not to operate in certain areas of Saudi airspace.
EASA stated that the recent attacks demonstrated the Houthis' capability and willingness to target locations within Saudi Arabia, including the capital Riyadh. On Thursday, the Houthis warned employees of Saudi oil facilities that these sites remained targets. The Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-led coalition since 2015, when Riyadh intervened in Yemen's civil war to support the internationally recognized government.
The Houthis took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Since then, the Saudi-led coalition has struggled to make significant changes in the conflict's trajectory. The conflict had relatively subsided after a UN-brokered truce in 2022. However, in recent weeks, the Houthis have made significant gains along Yemen's coast, capturing large areas and increasing their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Saudi-led coalition has launched a counterattack against Houthi fighters, and Yemeni forces claim to have recaptured several areas around the strait. Despite these developments, the conflict between the parties appears far from over. The airstrikes and counterattacks have raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which has been devastated by the ongoing conflict.
The international community has called for restraint and a return to peace talks. The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant human suffering, with millions displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and violations of international law. The Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes on Houthi targets are likely to continue, as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
Key points
- The Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, destroying three missile launch and preparation sites.
- The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis launching attacks on Riyadh's airport.
- The international community has called for restraint and a return to peace talks to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
