Houthi Rebels Strike Saudi Airports as Yemen Border Fighting Intensifies

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched attacks on Saudi Arabian airports on Monday evening, leaving three people injured and causing material damage at facilities near the border.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority stated on Tuesday that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz airport in Jazan and Najran airport were targeted in the strikes. According to Al Jazeera, the attacks resulted in three minor injuries and material damage. Specialized teams were deployed immediately to the sites, and the injured individuals were taken to the hospital.

The Houthi group, also referred to as Ansar Allah, claimed they targeted military sites and airports across southern Saudi Arabia. While Saudi officials focused on the border facilities, France 24 reported that the Houthis also claimed an attack on the main airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The group has denied losing territory despite reports of a major government counteroffensive.

In response to the strikes, the Saudi-led coalition announced it destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in Sanaa. The official Saudi Press Agency also reported the destruction of a storage facility in Saada containing 20 ballistic missiles. These actions coincide with a military push by forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of Yemen.

The Gulf Cooperation Council described the targeting of civilian infrastructure as a "dangerous escalation." Additionally, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions, characterizing them as "brazen and disgraceful attacks" on economic and civilian targets.

Background

The escalation follows a counteroffensive where Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi air and naval power, claimed to have retaken the port city of Mocha and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait from Houthi control.