Yemen’s Houthi movement confirmed Tuesday that it executed a wide-ranging military operation targeting deep inside Saudi Arabia using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the strikes hit Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Abha, Najran, and Jizan, as well as the Khamis Mushait Air Base, claiming direct hits and significant operational damage.
Saree framed the escalation as a direct response to recent Saudi-led coalition airstrikes across Yemen, alleging that 121 strikes hit Marib, Al-Bayda, Al-Hudaydah, Taiz, and Al-Jawf provinces over a three-day span. The spokesperson specifically cited a strike on the Central Prison in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf, accusing coalition forces of causing casualties among inmates, visitors, women, and children. Houthi leaders vowed to continue military operations against Saudi targets and enforce a blockade-for-blockade policy until foreign intervention ceases and access restrictions on Yemen are removed.
Saudi Response and Casualties
Saudi officials confirmed that multi-city Houthi attacks impacted Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, and Najran. Authorities reported that at least 73 civilians were injured, while the Saudi Energy Ministry acknowledged fires at southern energy facilities that forced temporary operational halts to secure worker safety and contain site damage.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki labeled the strikes a dangerous escalation and pledged decisive operational measures to neutralize Houthi threat sources. The exchange follows recent battlefield advancements by Yemeni government forces against Houthi positions across several critical fronts, signaling a significant intensification of the broader regional conflict.
