Coalition strikes nine Houthi sites as Riyadh airport reopens
Saudi forces claim destruction of four launchers and five tunnels following a deadly missile attack that closed the airport and delayed a major investment conference.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
The Saudi-led coalition reported on Monday that it destroyed four ballistic missile launchers and five missile storage tunnels during a military operation in Yemen. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki stated that the strikes aimed to neutralize threats and cut off supply lines between Houthi-controlled areas. He added that forces also attacked a missile depot and targeted fortifications and military equipment along the front lines inside Yemen.
The Houthi group, which calls itself Ansar Allah, responded to the coalition’s actions by claiming new attacks on Saudi infrastructure. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree posted on social media that the group launched a ballistic missile at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Saree said the strike hit the target with precision. Al-Maliki countered that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed the incoming missile.
Saree also claimed that Houthi drones struck oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia. In a separate statement, he said the group attacked enemy forces and weapons depots in Yemen. Those targets included positions in the Salah al-Din area of Aden governorate and the al-Wahat area of Lahij governorate.
These exchanges follow a wave of Houthi strikes on Saudi airports and other sites in recent weeks. A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport earlier this month killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. It was the deadliest attack on the kingdom in over a decade. The assault forced the airport to close temporarily, which disrupted travel for thousands of passengers.
The airport closure also led to the postponement of Saudi Arabia’s flagship investment conference until 2027. Flights resumed at the airport on Sunday. The Houthis warned travelers to avoid the facility, labeling it a military target.
The conflict reignited in the summer when the Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has supported the internationally recognized government in its fight against the Houthis since intervening in 2015. A truce that halted most fighting in 2022 collapsed last month. The Houthis then launched an offensive that seized much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and attacked Saudi energy facilities.
Yemen’s government forces launched a counteroffensive called Operation Yemen Dawn this month to recapture territory. As airport operations resumed, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. Mitsotakis’ office said he agreed to keep a Patriot air defense system in Saudi Arabia. Greece deployed the battery in 2021 to protect energy infrastructure in Yanbu.
On Sunday, the coalition said air defenses intercepted at least 10 ballistic missiles. The kingdom’s civil defense agency reported that two people were injured in the south by falling debris. Officials also noted damage to several buildings and vehicles. Images from the official press agency showed a building with a destroyed upper facade and shattered windows with glass shards on the pavement.
