Houthis claim six attacks on Saudi Arabia airports and oil facilities

Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for six separate attacks on Saudi Arabian territory on Thursday, targeting critical oil infrastructure, international airports, and a military headquarters. Spokesman Yahya Saree stated in a televised address that the group deployed ballistic missiles and drones to strike these locations. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed multiple projectiles heading toward the capital, Riyadh, though it did not initially verify damage to specific sites. The exchanges occurred amidst a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities, following high-level diplomatic meetings in Tehran involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan that aimed to de-escalate regional tensions. Saree detailed the composition of the offensive, asserting that three ballistic missile attacks targeted energy facilities in the eastern province and along the Red Sea coast. Specifically, he identified the Ras Tanura refinery and Saudi Aramco facilities in Abqaiq as targets for the missiles. A fourth ballistic missile was reportedly aimed at the Rabigh refinery. In addition to the energy sector, Saree claimed that multiple missiles were fired at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A drone attack targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which Saree said disrupted air traffic. The final operation struck a command center for Saudi military forces in the southern border region of Najran, with the Houthi spokesman alleging that the strike resulted in casualties among soldiers and officers. The Saudi-led coalition responded to the barrage through statements issued by spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Maliki. According to the Saudi Press Agency, coalition air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh. Earlier announcements indicated that additional threats had been neutralized, including two drones over the Riyadh region and another ballistic missile directed at the capital. Civil defense authorities in Riyadh issued alerts urging residents to remain calm and move to safe locations before declaring the immediate danger had passed. While the coalition confirmed the interception of missiles, Saudi Arabia has not publicly confirmed whether the Houthi projectiles impacted their intended targets or caused structural damage to the refineries or airports. The timing of these strikes coincided with a period of intense diplomatic activity. Earlier in the week, senior officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan convened in Tehran. The meeting was hosted by Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei and included Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin. An official Iranian press release stated that participants agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation and focus on peace and security in the region. Despite these positive statements and the agreement to resolve differences through dialogue, the Houthi group continued to launch missiles and drones at the Kingdom and Saudi-backed forces within Yemen. There was no independent corroboration of the Houthi claims regarding the extent of damage inflicted during the latest series of attacks. Hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have intensified significantly in recent weeks, characterized by frequent cross-border exchanges. The conflict traces back to late 2014, when the Houthis seized the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and much of the north, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The current surge in violence includes retaliatory actions; Saree stated that the recent attacks were launched in response to Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen. The Houthis alleged that 27 people were killed in these Saudi strikes. Conversely, the coalition announced that it conducted operations to dismantle the Houthi missile network, claiming to have destroyed four ballistic missile launchers, a missile depot, and associated tunnels in Yemen. The impact of the ongoing conflict extends beyond military engagements into economic and logistical spheres. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been a primary target, suffering a wave of strikes that included an incident earlier this month that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, marking the deadliest attack in the Kingdom in over a decade. Previous closures of the airport forced the postponement of the Kingdom’s flagship investment conference until 2027 and disrupted travel for thousands of passengers. Major global events, including the Dakar Rally, have also been cancelled, postponed, or relocated due to the instability. Market reactions reflected the tension, with most Gulf stock indices closing lower as investors monitored the continuing exchange of fire. In a separate statement, Saree claimed that Houthi forces also conducted operations targeting Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots in the Aden and Lahj governorates within Yemen, alleging dozens of casualties. The Houthi spokesman warned that Riyadh’s airport remained unsafe and constituted a military target, urging airlines and travelers to avoid the hub. He asserted that the Saudi regime would bear the consequences of any operational activities at the airport. Meanwhile, coalition forces maintained pressure on Houthi capabilities, stating that they continued the process of dismantling the ballistic missile infrastructure controlled by the militia. The situation remains volatile, with both sides indicating readiness for further engagement despite the recent diplomatic contacts in Tehran.