Yemen’s Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia on Monday, accusing the kingdom of bombing Sanaa International Airport earlier in the day. The strikes mark the first major escalation since a 2022 truce between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition. The Saudi-led coalition intercepted the missiles, which targeted Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree called the alleged Saudi airstrikes "blatant aggression" and vowed retaliation. Saudi officials did not immediately respond to the accusations.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government, based in Aden and backed by Saudi Arabia, claimed its forces targeted the Sanaa airport runway to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. The government accused the Houthis of detaining an International Committee of the Red Cross aircraft and its crew. Yemen’s defense minister said diplomatic efforts to stop Iranian aircraft from violating Yemeni airspace had failed, prompting military action.
The conflict has broader regional implications. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have previously targeted Saudi energy infrastructure and Red Sea shipping. Saudi Arabia, which has maintained oil exports via a pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, could face challenges if the conflict widens. The strikes also coincide with tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over control of parts of Yemen, as well as broader regional conflicts involving Iran and Israel.
The Houthis have been active in the Red Sea since 2023, disrupting commercial shipping. The latest escalation raises concerns about a renewed war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, which has contributed to Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The U.S. has designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization, and Iran has condemned the Saudi strikes as a breach of Yemen’s sovereignty.