Saudi-led coalition says attacks targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif as regional tensions continue to escalate.
WEB DESK: Thirteen civilians were injured in missile and drone attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi group against three Saudi cities, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group.
The attacks targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Monday, September 14, with ballistic missiles and drones, coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Tuesday. The injured civilians suffered minor to moderate injuries, while seven homes and two vehicles were damaged.
Three Saudi cities targeted
According to the coalition, the attacks struck civilian areas in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif.
Saudi authorities subsequently issued safety alerts in several cities, including Jeddah, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, Jazan and AlUla. Saudi Civil Defence later said the reported danger had passed.
Al-Malki said the coalition would take measures to protect Saudi sovereignty, civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Houthis claim wider military attack
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had launched a large-scale attack involving dozens of missiles and drones against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
The Houthis said the operation was carried out in response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Those claims about the specific military targets and extent of damage have not been independently verified.
The Houthi attacks come as fighting between the group and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has intensified after years of relative calm.
Saudi Arabia warns of response
The Saudi-led coalition said it would respond to the attacks and take measures to deter further strikes.
The escalation comes amid a broader deterioration in the regional security situation, with fighting in Yemen coinciding with heightened tensions involving Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping routes.
The latest attacks have also raised concerns over the potential impact of the widening conflict on regional security and energy supplies.
Regional tensions intensify
The renewed Houthi-Saudi confrontation is unfolding alongside disruptions to major maritime and energy routes.
Gulf states have postponed planned talks with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has fallen sharply amid the wider regional conflict.
The developments have increased concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East, with potential consequences for oil markets, shipping and regional stability.
