Saudi Coalition Intercepts Drones Amid Houthi Attacks on Airports

Riyadh, November 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Saudi-led coalition announced the interception of three drones, while the Houthi group from Yemen claimed responsibility for attacks on an airport and an airbase in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Turki al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the coalition, reported on social media platform X that a drone was destroyed over the Mecca region, but did not provide further details. According to the Xinhua news agency, two additional drones were intercepted—one in the eastern province and another heading toward the southern region.

In a video message shared on X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saria stated that their forces conducted two strikes in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. He claimed that one drone targeted Abha International Airport, while a ballistic missile struck King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Saria asserted that the drone attack disrupted air traffic at the airport, and the missile hit the airbase directly.

Within Yemen, Houthi forces reportedly launched several ballistic missiles at government troops in the southern Lahij province, specifically in the Ras al-Arah and al-Mudharabah areas. Saria claimed significant casualties resulted from these attacks.

He also mentioned that several ballistic missiles targeted forces stationed east of the northern province of Al-Jawf, near the Saudi border. According to Saria, these strikes resulted in numerous soldiers being killed or injured, along with the destruction of military vehicles.

The claims regarding the damage and casualties from these assaults have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, a military source from the Houthi-controlled Sabaa news agency warned investors in Saudi Aramco, the country’s leading oil company, of potential financial and security risks, indicating that Aramco is within the reach of Houthi forces.

These developments come amid a resurgence of the long-standing conflict in Yemen, with intensified ground fighting and airstrikes. The Houthi group has been launching missile and drone attacks on various Saudi targets.

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since late 2014 when Houthi rebels seized control of Sana’a and large parts of northern Yemen. This led to a Saudi-led coalition intervening in 2015 to support the internationally recognized government.

Tensions in the region continue to escalate as both sides engage in ongoing hostilities.