Houthi rebels in Yemen. (AP/Hani Mohammed)
The renewed missile fire and interceptions ended four years of truce between the kingdom and the Houthi forces.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Yemen’s Houthis fired multiple ballistic missiles at Abha International Airport and two Saudi air bases after accusing Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport, ending a period of de-escalation in the conflict between the Iran-aligned group and the kingdom.
Saudi air defenses intercepted missiles heading toward the country’s southern region, the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said.
The coalition’s spokesperson said on X that Saudi Arabia had intercepted missiles “launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region.”
The missile attacks broke a four-year truce in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The escalation followed an operation at Sanaa International Airport that Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, said was intended to stop an Iranian aircraft from landing. Government forces targeted the airport runway.
The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack and said several airstrikes had been carried out at the airport.
“In an unjust aggression, the Saudi enemy carried out several airstrikes against Sanaa International Airport,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said shortly after the first reports emerged.
Saree declared that the period of de-escalation had ended and promised an immediate response.
Houthi forces subsequently launched a volley of ballistic missiles toward Abha International Airport and two Saudi air bases.
The Saudi-led coalition said the incoming missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia were successfully intercepted.
The exchange marked a renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis following the recent de-escalation.
The Houthis characterized their missile launches as retaliation for the operation at Sanaa International Airport.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government, however, said the runway had been struck specifically to prevent the arrival of the Iranian aircraft.
The Houthis are aligned with Iran, while Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The renewed missile fire and interceptions ended four years of truce between the kingdom and Houthi forces.
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