Houthis target Saudi holy cities and Aden in new offensive

The conflict in Yemen has entered a more dangerous phase. Houthi forces launched a fresh wave of attacks on Saturday. The strikes hit targets in Saudi Arabia and Aden. Aden serves as the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government.

The Saudi civil defence agency confirmed the launch of two ballistic missiles. The projectiles were aimed at Mecca and Medina. These are the two holiest cities in Islam. The agency warned residents about falling shrapnel after the missiles were intercepted. The Saudi Press Agency released images of a large, blackened missile fragment. The object had landed inside Saudi territory.

In Aden, the Transport Ministry condemned the targeting of the international airport. Two ballistic missiles struck the facility on Saturday. This marks the fourth such incident this month. Officials stated that the attacks threaten civil aviation. They also carry heavy economic and humanitarian costs for travelers.

Yemeni authorities reported that the coastguard headquarters took a direct hit. Another building in the city was also struck. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for these hits. They said they targeted the al-Nasr camp and a naval military base. On Friday, a Houthi missile malfunctioned in Sanaa. The city is under Houthi control. The projectile crashed into a family home and killed three people. The Yemeni army said this was one of several recent malfunctions.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday that Saudi airstrikes killed several civilians. The strikes reportedly hit Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah. Riyadh has not yet issued a formal comment on these claims. The figures have not been independently verified.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi is the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. He described the Houthi attacks as heinous. In a statement shared on Saturday, he said the strikes showed a blatant disregard for civilian safety. He emphasized the need to protect the lives of people in the region.

The Houthi group disputed the official narrative about their targets. They called the claim that they aimed at Mecca and Medina a huge lie. Instead, the group stated that they intended to hit three Saudi airports. They also targeted oil infrastructure and an airbase.

The pressure on Saudi Arabia has been constant since mid-2022. A fragile ceasefire agreed upon in 2022 collapsed in July. The Houthis have since used long-range strikes to hit energy infrastructure and airports. This sustained pressure defines the current phase of the conflict.

Intense fighting continues along Yemen's front lines. Houthi forces battle government troops for control of key areas. Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili is a Yemeni army spokesman. He said on Saturday that government forces conducted more than 700 targeting operations in 24 hours. He claimed these operations neutralized 300 Houthi fighters and disabled military vehicles. The figures could not be independently verified. The operations focused on command centers, weapons depots, and supply lines in Taiz. Clashes in that region have persisted for days.