Houthis escalate strikes on Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and military bases

The Iran-backed Houthis announced Wednesday that they had launched ballistic missiles and unmanned drones against multiple targets across southwestern Saudi Arabia, according to the militant group's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree. The claimed strikes included King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha airport, the Khamis Mushait air base, and military installations in Najran and Asir provinces near the Yemeni border. Flight tracking data indicated temporary disruptions to operations at the capital's main airport, though the Houthis provided no independent evidence of successful strikes.

The latest attacks mark an intensification of cross-border operations that have become increasingly frequent in recent months. Abha airport in particular has endured repeated Houthi assaults over the past two years, while the militants have demonstrated improved capabilities in both drone and missile technology. The escalation underscores deepening instability in a region already destabilized by Yemen's protracted civil war.

The strikes carry broader implications for global commerce, as they raise fresh concerns about the security of shipping lanes in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea—critical corridors that serve as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. Regional analysts warn that sustained Houthi attacks could disrupt trade flows and complicate international efforts to maintain maritime stability. Saudi Arabia has not yet formally responded to Wednesday's claims, though the kingdom's coalition fighting the Houthis is expected to issue a statement assessing the incidents.