Riyadh, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Houthi group from Yemen has announced that it launched significant attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and the industrial city of Yanbu, located on the Red Sea coast. This escalation raises concerns about the intensifying conflict between the two sides.
In a statement broadcasted on Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, reported that the assaults involved “a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles along with drones.”
Saree detailed that the first operation focused on what he described as “sensitive locations” in Riyadh. The second operation targeted a facility of the Saudi oil company Aramco in Yanbu. He claimed both operations were successful, stating that the targeted areas experienced severe fires.
This announcement followed reports of two loud explosions in Riyadh on Saturday. After the second blast, smoke was visible near King Khalid International Airport in the northeastern part of the capital, leading to delays in some flights.
Earlier, Saudi authorities had issued an alert regarding the threat of airstrikes on Riyadh but later declared that the threat had subsided. Reports indicate that this was the first alert of its kind for Riyadh amid rising tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Subsequently, a Saudi-led coalition stated that its air defense system intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh. The coalition also announced that it thwarted attacks on Baish, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki alleged that these attacks targeted “civilians and civilian infrastructure.” He emphasized the need for “appropriate measures” to prevent such assaults in the future.
In response, Houthi spokesperson Saree denied allegations that the group intentionally targeted civilians. He asserted that the attacks on Riyadh were a retaliation against Saudi Arabia’s escalating airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Saree vowed that the Houthis would continue their counterattacks, describing it as a tit-for-tat strategy. He stated that their response would persist until Saudi airstrikes cease and the sanctions on Yemen are lifted.
This recent attack on Saudi Arabia’s capital marks another chapter in the ongoing conflict between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia.
The current hostilities began in mid-July when Yemen’s armed forces struck the Houthi-controlled Sana’a International Airport, aiming to prevent an Iranian passenger plane from landing. This flight was carrying a senior Houthi delegation returning from the funeral rites of Iran’s Khamenei.
The Houthis have since held Saudi Arabia accountable for these confrontations, as Saudi Arabia remains a key ally of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Following this, the Houthis initiated a series of attacks using ballistic missiles and drones.
On July 20, the Houthi group announced a blockade on Saudi vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Since then, they have claimed multiple assaults on Saudi oil tankers and facilities within the kingdom.
The conflict in Yemen commenced in late 2014 when Houthi rebels seized control of Sana’a and large portions of northern Yemen. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
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