Houthis strike Saudi Arabia: Riyadh promised a "firm response"
The Houthis described the missile and drone attacks they launched on Saudi territory as a response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia announced it will give a "decisive" response to attacks carried out by Houthis in Yemen on the kingdom's territory using rockets and drones. As a result of the attacks, 13 civilians were injured in three cities. Al Jazeera reported this.
Coalition representative Turki al-Maliki, led by Saudi Arabia, stated that the attacks occurred in the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, damaging seven houses and two vehicles. According to him, the coalition will take necessary measures to protect the kingdom's sovereignty.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, since the beginning of the month, at least 18,000 households or 125,000 people have left their homes due to fighting in Yemen. The organization stated that hostilities are increasing the number of casualties among civilians and intensifying pressure on humanitarian operations.
The Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out 54 airstrikes on Yemeni territory in the last 24 hours. According to the group, the strikes targeted Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Ma'rib, and Hajjah provinces.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari said that F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets from Saudi Arabia's airbases in Khamis Mushait and Taif were used in the attacks.
Media outlets close to the Houthis reported that Saudi strikes in Taiz province killed three civilians, including two children, and injured at least two others.
Saudi Arabia has not yet officially commented on these claims.
The Houthis previously announced that dozens of rockets and drones were launched at King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. The group stated that the attacks were carried out in response to Saudi Arabia's airstrikes on Yemeni territory.
The exchange of airstrikes between the parties intensified following the Houthis' rapid advance in western Yemen last week. The group established control over a large part of the Red Sea coast and advanced toward areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Forces affiliated with the Yemeni government announced that they had retaken some positions from the Houthis in Taiz province. However, claims by the parties on the battlefield have not been independently confirmed.
Houthi and Yemeni government representatives stated that the group had captured the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands in the southern part of the Red Sea, as well as Mayyun Island.
The conflict in Yemen, lasting more than ten years, intensified again in July. The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and began attacks on ships in the Red Sea. This threatens the ceasefire agreement reached in 2022 with UN mediation, which halted large-scale fighting.
