Fighting Intensifies in Yemen: Houthis Escalate Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Fighting between Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, and Iran-aligned Houthi rebels has escalated recently. Yemeni government forces announced on Thursday that they intercepted a drone heading towards Medina and a missile fired towards Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. These developments coincide with the Houthis intensifying their attacks on oil facilities and airports within Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis aim to increase the cost of Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen. Clashes have intensified along the country's western Red Sea coast, with Houthi attacks now reaching deeper into Saudi territory.

Highlights

• Yemeni government forces reported intercepting a drone and a missile targeting Saudi Arabia.
• The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia.
• A Saudi Ministry of Energy official confirmed a "limited fire" at an Aramco building in Dhahran but reported no casualties.
• The Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Sanaa, the Houthi stronghold in the Yemeni capital.
• Attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 14 people, wounded over 300, and led to the airport's temporary closure.

Details

On Wednesday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that their forces conducted a "high-quality military operation" targeting Aramco in Dhahran, as well as Riyadh airport and a refinery in the capital. Saree added that operations would continue in the coming days, targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities. A Saudi Ministry of Energy official confirmed that an Aramco building in Dhahran was hit, resulting in a "limited fire" but no casualties or fatalities.

In response, the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes against Houthi strongholds in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, which the Houthis have controlled since 2014. Al Jazeera correspondent Yousef Mawry stated that the war has become a tit-for-tat exchange, with the Houthis aiming to "meet fire with fire." Recent Houthi strikes on Riyadh have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure closer to the city center.

Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces have launched a major counteroffensive called "Dawn of Yemen" to retake coastal territory near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait from the Houthis. A government spokesperson stated that 2,309 targeting operations were conducted, destroying 460 Houthi military vehicles. The intensity of fighting in Taiz governorate is due to its strategic value and the struggle for control over the Red Sea coast.

Why it matters

The escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are not only causing casualties and material damage but also threatening Saudi Arabia's economic interests. International events like a major investment conference in Riyadh and preparations for the FIFA World Cup in 2034 are now at risk due to the attacks. This situation could exacerbate the negative regional and global economic repercussions of the conflict in Yemen. Furthermore, the humanitarian situation in cities like Taiz is deteriorating with severe shortages of fuel and food, and hospitals are reporting an unprecedented increase in weapon-wounded patients.