Houthis launch fresh missile and drone attack toward Saudi cities

RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a fresh wave of ballistic missiles and drones toward three southern Saudi Arabian cities, raising fears that the latest escalation in Yemen could spill further into the wider region.

According to Saudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki, multiple ballistic missiles and drones were directed toward Khamis Mushait, Abha and Jazan.

The spokesman did not report any casualties from the latest attacks. He said coalition forces would take appropriate action to protect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, national installations and civilians.

The attacks come as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified inside Yemen, adding a new and potentially dangerous dimension to the conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s southern regions have faced heightened security concerns in recent days, with Houthi forces also reportedly targeting energy and military facilities. Saudi-backed forces, meanwhile, have continued operations against Houthi positions in Yemen.

The renewed violence has revived concerns over the security of key maritime routes in and around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, a strategically important passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Any prolonged escalation could put additional pressure on shipping and regional trade, particularly if attacks extend beyond land-based targets and threaten commercial vessels or maritime infrastructure.

The latest missile and drone launches also come against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in Yemen’s security situation. More than 500 people have reportedly been killed in fighting that erupted over the past week, although the figures provided by the different sides have not been independently verified.

The conflict has repeatedly drawn regional powers into confrontation. Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis have maintained control over significant parts of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.

The use of ballistic missiles and drones against Saudi territory has previously demonstrated the Houthis’ ability to strike targets far beyond Yemen’s borders. Riyadh has relied heavily on air-defence systems to intercept incoming threats and prevent attacks from reaching populated areas and strategic installations.

For residents of Saudi Arabia’s southern cities, the latest launches are another reminder of how quickly violence in neighbouring Yemen can cross the border.

With fighting inside Yemen intensifying and the Red Sea security situation already under scrutiny, the latest attacks could further complicate efforts to contain the conflict.

For now, Saudi authorities have reported no casualties from the latest barrage, while the coming days are likely to determine whether the escalation remains limited or develops into a broader confrontation.