Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Houthi Missile as Attacks Intensify

The Saudi-led coalition announced it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis, which Major-General Turki al-Malki, the coalition spokesman, stated was targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait city.

This development follows a series of Houthi airstrikes that targeted multiple Saudi Arabian airports. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Najran International Airport were hit on Monday night, resulting in three minor injuries and material damage. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated on Monday evening that the group targeted Saudi airports and other locations with a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, advising international airlines to cease flights using Saudi airspace.

Saree also claimed on Tuesday that the Houthis used a ballistic missile to attack Abha International Airport. Saudi Arabia confirmed damage from Houthi attacks on airports at Jizan and Najran. These Houthi actions come as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a major offensive against the Houthis, with both sides claiming territorial gains. The Yemeni army reported pushing north along the Red Sea coast toward Mocha and announced a strategic offensive operation on Sanaa, the de facto Houthi capital.

Yemen government forces also stated they reclaimed the strategic port city of Mokha, located about 75 kilometers north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, from the Houthis. In response to the escalating conflict, Pakistan and Turkey agreed to rapidly deploy military forces to support Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The conflict in Yemen began over a decade ago when the Houthis seized Sanaa, leading to a Saudi-led military intervention, though fighting had largely subsided after a 2022 truce.