Sanaa, Sep 20 (V7N)- Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for two military operations targeting sites in Saudi Arabia, including locations in the capital Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a televised statement on Saturday that the group used ballistic and cruise missiles and drones in the operations. He described the targets in Riyadh as “sensitive sites” and said the second operation targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
The Houthi statement did not specifically identify King Khalid International Airport as a target. However, flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen near the airport on Saturday, and reports said a fuel depot in the area caught fire.
Saudi authorities said their air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition also said attempted attacks on Yanbu, Taif, Baysh and Farasan were thwarted.
Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts warning residents of a hostile aerial threat in several areas, including Riyadh and Al-Kharj. The alerts were later lifted, and authorities reported no casualties.
Saree said the Houthi operations were carried out in response to what the group described as Saudi airstrikes against Yemen. He claimed Saudi Arabia had conducted more than 300 airstrikes across Yemen during the previous week, but the claim could not be independently verified.
The attacks come amid a renewed escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The latest incident marked the first reported Houthi strike targeting Riyadh since the current escalation began in July.
The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi-linked vessels and facilities since announcing a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, further increasing tensions around the Red Sea and surrounding shipping routes
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