Conflict in the Gulf: Houthis attack again in Saudi Arabia

The conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi Arabia-backed government in Yemen threatens to escalate further. The Houthi militia once again claimed responsibility for an attack on the airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Houthi military spokesman Jahja Sari said the militia fired a ballistic missile at King Khalid airport in Riyadh.

According to information from Saudi Arabia, several projectiles were blocked. Two rockets fired at Riyadh and another at Khamis Mushait in the southwest of the country were intercepted, spokesman for the Saudi-led military alliance, Turki al-Maliki, said.

No information was initially given about damage or victims. Eyewitnesses reported to the German Press Agency about four consecutive explosions in Riyadh. Saudi airport circles said that debris from intercepted missiles had fallen on a terminal building at the airport.

The Iran-backed Houthis also warned that all oil facilities in the neighboring country could become targets of their attacks. The militia had already claimed responsibility for attacks on facilities belonging to the state oil company Aramco in Saudi Arabia in the past.

The Houthis also once again called on airlines to suspend flights to Saudi Arabia. The only exceptions are the areas above the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia repeatedly blames the Houthis for attacks on civilian targets in the kingdom and, in turn, carries out air strikes on militia positions in Yemen. According to the Saudi aviation authorities, the airports of Riyadh and Abha in the southwest of the country were attacked on Tuesday and Wednesday. A total of three people were killed. The Houthis claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television station reported Saudi air strikes on the airport in the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah and other areas. Residents of the city reported to the dpa about violent explosions and clouds of smoke near the port of Hudaydah. There was initially no statement from Saudi Arabia on this.

The civil war in Yemen flared up again in the summer in the wake of the Iran war. Since then, the Houthis have been fighting again against the internationally recognized government supported by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia repeatedly carries out air strikes in its neighboring country.

At the weekend, the Yemeni government announced a large-scale offensive to retake all areas controlled by the Houthis. The Houthis have recently been able to gain strategically important areas for themselves.