Escalation in Yemen Conflict as Houthis Target Riyadh

In a recent escalation of conflict, Yemen’s Houthi rebels attempted to target Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh with a ballistic missile. This marks the first such attempt since the intensification of hostilities involving Tehran-backed Houthis in the broader Iran war.

According to statements by the Saudi-led coalition, the missile attack occurred at dawn and was intercepted. Despite the interception, some residents in Riyadh reportedly heard an explosion. A plume of smoke was observed near the airport, but no casualties or damage were reported.

The coalition also mentioned thwarting Houthi efforts to attack civilian infrastructure in several locations including Yanbu, Taif, Baysh, and Farasan. Yanbu is notably where a major Saudi pipeline terminates, though further details were not provided.

While the Houthis claimed to have targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, they did not provide evidence for these assertions. Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, has not commented on these claims.

The ongoing conflict has escalated tensions surrounding another vital global shipping corridor, adding pressure to international markets.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, Houthi military spokesperson, stated they utilized cruise and ballistic missiles along with drones in their attacks. He also reported a Saudi attempt to target Sanaa, Yemen, although details were sparse. These claims have not been independently verified by the Associated Press.

Recent incidents have seen increasing hostilities. On Thursday, Saudi officials reported the first civilian casualty of the renewed conflict, with debris from an intercepted Houthi drone claiming the life of a Yemeni resident in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of attempting to attack Mecca with a drone, an accusation the Houthis denied.

The United States, allied with Saudi Arabia, has indicated no current conflict with the Houthis. Regional sources have informed the Associated Press about Saudi Arabia’s dwindling missile interceptors, prompting requests to countries like France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt for air defense assistance.

Internally in Yemen, combat has intensified between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis recently captured the significant port city of Mokha and regions along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, enhancing their ability to monitor maritime activity. Despite these advancements, Houthis assert that their military focus is exclusively on Saudi targets.

The resumption of fighting in Yemen heralds a return to a severe civil war following four years of relative calm.