Houthis Launch New Missile Barrage On Riyadh, Aden; Turkey Sends Saudi Support

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched new missile and drone attacks on October 7, targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Aden International Airport in Yemen.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated the rebels launched ballistic missiles and drones, also claiming hits on Abha airport, an air base in Khamis Mushait, and two military bases in Najran and Asir. Flights to and from King Khalid International Airport were briefly disrupted. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis confirmed intercepting and destroying a ballistic missile north of Riyadh.

At Aden International Airport, a missile reportedly landed near the runway, forcing a flight from Cairo to divert to Jeddah. In response to Houthi aggression, Turkey is sending mainly defensive and technical support to Saudi Arabia, according to two officials. This follows the activation of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August by Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, which stipulates an armed attack on one member constitutes an attack on all.

On October 5, the countries agreed to implement collective defense commitments and ensure rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. A Turkish official stated the support includes military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems, but no other form of deployment has occurred so far. Turkish support, including air defense systems, is largely bilateral for now, as Turkey's parliament has not officially ratified the joint pact.

The Houthi attacks come as fighting intensifies in Yemen, with Saudi-backed government forces launching a major ground and air offensive to retake territory seized by the Houthis along Yemen's western Red Sea coast and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Government forces claimed on October 5 to have pushed the Houthis out of the Bab al-Mandab area and the port city of Mokha. The Houthis, however, deny losing territory. Egypt and Jordan have also reaffirmed their support for Saudi Arabia amid the Houthi attacks.