Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in the Yemeni capital Sana'a overnight, after Houthi attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh the previous day, according to Abu Ali Express. In response, the Houthis struck Riyadh again, halting air traffic at King Khalid International Airport at least three times.
According to Abu Ali Express, Saudi Arabia struck Houthi positions in the Yemeni capital Sana'a overnight, after the Houthis attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh the previous day. In response, the Houthis struck Riyadh again, halting flights at King Khalid International Airport at least three times. The channel assessed that both sides have 'removed the restraints,' noting that the Houthis have a higher capacity to absorb strikes while Saudi Arabia has more to lose.
The Zioneer first reported at 01:10 Jerusalem that the Houthis launched a large-scale attack on the eastern Saudi city of Dammam. At 01:33, the desk reported the attack was on an extraordinary scale. By 02:13, security analyst Yair Goldblatt reported that the Houthi offensive was a direct response to dozens of Saudi airstrikes in Yemen over the preceding 24 hours. This morning's mutual strikes on the capitals represent a major escalation in the confrontation.
The escalation follows a pattern of Houthi-Saudi hostilities. On September 19, Houthi missiles struck King Khalid International Airport directly, as The Zioneer reported. In July, Saudi airstrikes targeted Sanaa International Airport, and the Houthis retaliated with missile strikes on Abha airport. The Zioneer also reported in July that Houthi attacks launched from Iraq were coordinated with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias under IRGC oversight, underscoring the integration of Iran's regional proxies.
Casualty figures and damage assessments from the overnight exchanges remain unclear. Saudi authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the strikes on Sana'a or the disruptions at Riyadh airport.
5 developments
- StrongSaudi Arabia reportedly strikes Houthi targets in Sana'a
- DevelopingExplosions reported in Sana'a, reportedly from Houthi missiles targeting Yemeni forces
- StrongYemeni government forces strike Houthi stronghold in Sanaa, spokesperson says
- StrongHouthi channel denies attack in Sana'a, Yemen, reporter says
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