(CNN) - Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, warned Saudi Arabia of preparing for a “long-term conflict,” while his group intensified its attacks on the Kingdom, targeting its airports and military facilities, on Thursday, for the third day in a row.
On Thursday, the group announced a new wave of attacks targeting two civilian airports: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and Najran Airport near the Saudi-Yemeni-southern border, in addition to the King Khalid Air Base of the Air Force.
The group claimed that the attacks used cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and that they caused damage and disrupted air traffic.
Pictures published on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter), and verified by CNN, showed smoke rising above Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, in addition to what appeared to be a damaged Saudi plane, while the Associated Press quoted an eyewitness as saying that he heard numerous explosions in Riyadh, including at the airport.
Although the Saudi authorities did not comment directly on whether the airports were attacked, they announced on Thursday that they had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh, and that the falling debris damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic.
The American mission in Saudi Arabia stated that it was aware of the attacks that targeted Riyadh Airport, and warned American citizens to be extremely cautious, pointing to previous attacks on civilian airports in the country, and warning that the conflict “may escalate.”
The mission warned of the possibility of flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions, and said that US government employees now need a “special permit” to use the airport, and they are still prohibited from traveling within 20 miles of the Yemeni border.
This news comes after 3 people were killed and 36 others injured during the past two days in attacks launched by the Houthis on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport, near the Yemeni border.
Warning from the "leader"
In a televised speech on Thursday, the Houthi leader vowed to continue attacking Saudi targets and confront Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.
He warned Saudi Arabia against continuing its military campaign in Yemen, saying that his group possesses sufficient military capabilities and determination to withstand a long-term conflict. Al-Houthi said: “The Yemeni people today possess all the determination and elements of strength, no matter how long the war lasts.”
The Houthis, a group that controls most of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, have been waging a war against the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition since 2015.
The conflict escalated in July after the collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as the Houthis intensified their missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports, and shipping lines.
Riyadh responded by launching air strikes and providing support to Yemeni government forces.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have threatened to expand the scope of their attacks inside Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued Thursday, they warned employees, engineers, and workers at Saudi oil facilities to avoid sites that may become targets for future attacks. The group also renewed its previous warnings to airlines, airport operators, travelers, and workers at Saudi airports and facilities.
Al-Houthi said: “The more the Saudi enemy continues its aggression and siege, the greater its losses.”
"Dawn of Yemen"
This latest escalation comes as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces continue Operation “Yemen Dawn,” a large-scale offensive aimed at pushing back recent gains made by the Houthis in Yemen.
In recent weeks, fighting has intensified along Yemen's western coast and around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping lane linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Yemeni government forces claimed to recapture several sites near Bab al-Mandab, al-Mukha, and Dhubab, but the Houthis deny these allegations.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government announced on Thursday that its forces carried out 1,729 precise raids on Houthi targets during the attack, claiming that they killed 1,370 fighters and destroyed or disabled 300 vehicles and other military assets.
On the same day, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of escalating its air campaign, claiming that Saudi warplanes carried out 59 air strikes and missile attacks on Sanaa and several Yemeni governorates during the past 24 hours, resulting in civilian casualties.
CNN cannot independently verify either claim.
However, the Houthis denied reports of “significant field losses,” accusing regional media of “overestimating the progress” made by Saudi-backed forces.
Earlier this week, Houthi missiles landed near Aden International Airport, the main airport serving Yemen's internationally recognized government, forcing a commercial flight arriving from Cairo to change its course, according to Yemeni government officials.
The Saudi-led coalition announced on Wednesday that it responded to that attack by launching a large-scale operation targeting 82 Houthi military targets in the governorates of Saada, Hodeidah, Al-Jawf, and Marib.
According to the coalition, the targets included missile depots, command centers, communications facilities, and weapons depots.
