Escalating Tensions: Houthi Rebel Attacks on Saudi Arabia

CAIRO — Saudi Arabia confirmed on Saturday an attempted attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on its capital, Riyadh, using a ballistic missile. This marked the first such attempt since the escalation of conflicts with these Tehran-backed rebels. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis reported intercepting the missile, which came with the dawn.

Residents of Riyadh reported hearing an explosion and later observed smoke near the airport. Fortunately, no casualties or damage were reported. The coalition also noted thwarted Houthi attempts to attack civilian infrastructure in Yanbu, a Red Sea port city, and in Taif, Baysh, and Farasan.

The Houthis claimed they targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and facilities of Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, causing significant fires. However, they did not provide evidence for these claims. Aramco did not comment on these allegations.

This increased conflict near critical global shipping corridors has heightened market pressures. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated they used cruise and ballistic missiles, along with drones, in their attacks. He also accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to target Sanaa, a city under Houthi control, although details were not provided.

Recent days have seen increased tension in the region. On Thursday, Saudi civil defense reported the first civilian casualty from the conflict. A Yemeni resident died due to debris from an intercepted Houthi drone. Additionally, Saudi Arabia claimed the Houthis attempted to attack Mecca with a drone, but the Houthis denied the accusation.

The United States has expressed that it holds no current conflicts with the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia, reportedly running low on missile interceptors, seeks air defense support from France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt.

Fighting has intensified within Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. The rebels recently seized the port city of Mokha and islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, increasing their surveillance of the Red Sea. The Houthis, however, assert they are targeting only Saudi vessels.

This resurgence of clashes in Yemen signals a return to a devastating civil war after a period of relative peace lasting four years.