Houthi forces launched coordinated strikes on two major Saudi airports on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing three people and injuring several others, Saudi authorities reported, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Iranian-backed Yemeni militia and the kingdom.
The attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority. The agency reported that two women were killed and 28 injured at Abha, while a Sudanese man was killed and eight others wounded at King Khalid. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed that the militia used missiles and drones in the attacks.
In response, the Saudi-led coalition, which has been engaged in a protracted war against the Houthis since 2015, conducted retaliatory airstrikes on dozens of Houthi military sites within Yemen. Targets reportedly included missile storage facilities and command centers. The Houthis have not immediately confirmed damage or casualties resulting from the coalition’s counterattacks.
The recent strikes mark one of the rare occasions that Houthi attacks have produced fatalities on Saudi soil, particularly in Riyadh, the capital. Analysts, such as Farea Al-Muslimi of Chatham House, suggested that Saudi Arabia is likely to respond with increased military aggression as the Yemeni government, supported by Riyadh, has launched a new offensive to reclaim strategically vital areas along the Red Sea coast.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in earnest with the Saudi-led intervention in 2015, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands dead from violence, malnutrition, and disease. A fragile ceasefire established in 2022 unraveled as the Saudi-backed government intensified efforts to dislodge the Houthis from key territories. This week’s renewed fighting has displaced nearly 200,000 people, according to the United Nations.
The military escalation risks drawing in additional regional players. Pakistan and Turkey recently activated a defense agreement to provide support to Saudi Arabia. A senior Pakistani military official confirmed that Pakistan Air Force fighter jets have been involved in operations targeting Houthi positions. While Pakistani military officials declined to comment officially, former U.S. military analysts estimate that around 8,000 Pakistani troops, including air force and air defense units, have been deployed to Saudi Arabia, primarily to secure vital infrastructure and counter missile and drone threats rather than direct ground combat.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on the southern Yemeni city of Aden, controlled by the Saudi-backed government, while the Saudi-led coalition intercepted a missile north of Riyadh.
The Houthis have increased their focus on the Red Sea, a critical corridor for Saudi oil exports, conducting a blockade and attacking maritime vessels since July. Their recent capture of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline dealt a strategic blow to Saudi allies and has deeply influenced Riyadh’s decision to renew offensive operations against the militia.
The escalating violence underscores the fragile and complex dynamics in the region, as local proxy wars intersect with wider geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran’s influence and U.S. interests in the Middle East.