Riyadh, September 20 (Udaipur Kiran) : The Houthi group from Yemen has claimed responsibility for large-scale attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and the industrial city of Yanbu, located along the Red Sea coast. This development raises concerns over escalating hostilities between the two sides.
In a statement broadcasted on the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV, military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that the assaults employed a substantial number of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones. He indicated that the first operation focused on what he described as “sensitive sites” in Riyadh, while the second operation targeted a facility of the Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu.
Saree asserted that both operations were successful, claiming that intense fires erupted at the targeted locations. His remarks followed reports of two explosions heard in Riyadh, with smoke visible rising from the northeastern part of the capital near King Khalid International Airport, leading to delays in some flights.
Prior to these incidents, Saudi authorities had issued an alert regarding potential aerial threats to Riyadh, which was later lifted. This alert marked the first of its kind following a recent spike in tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition reported that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh. The coalition also claimed to have thwarted attacks on Baish, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki condemned the attacks, stating they targeted “civilians and civilian infrastructure” and vowed to take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents.
In response, Houthi spokesperson Saree denied allegations that their group intentionally targeted civilians, asserting that the attacks on Riyadh were retaliatory actions against intensified Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Saree emphasized that the Houthi group would continue its retaliatory measures, describing it as a tit-for-tat strategy. He stated that these actions would persist until Saudi airstrikes cease and the sanctions imposed on Yemen are lifted.
This latest assault on Riyadh underscores the increasing confrontation between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia. The current conflict reignited in mid-July when Yemeni armed forces launched an attack on Sana’a International Airport, aiming to prevent an Iranian passenger plane carrying a senior Houthi delegation from landing.
The Houthis hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the ongoing violence, as the kingdom is a key ally of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Following this, the Houthis commenced retaliatory strikes using ballistic missiles and drones. On July 20, they announced a blockade of Saudi vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and have since claimed multiple attacks on Saudi oil tankers and facilities within the kingdom.
The conflict in Yemen began in late 2014 when Houthi rebels seized control of the capital, Sana’a, and large portions of northern Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
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