Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a series of attacks targeting high-profile locations within Saudi Arabia. The group stated that these operations were directed at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Abqaiq, and a financial centre located in the Saudi capital. Details regarding potential casualties or the specific extent of damage resulting from these reported attacks were not immediately available.
The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards the kingdom's southern region earlier on Tuesday. In a subsequent update, the coalition reported the interception of two additional missiles directed at Riyadh, consisting of both ballistic and cruise missiles. Furthermore, the coalition announced the destruction of a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Before the threats were declared resolved, the Saudi Civil Defence had issued early-warning alerts for Riyadh and the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait.
Simultaneously, intensified fighting has been reported within Yemen. Government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, announced the capture of Houthi-held positions in the Lahj governorate following a large-scale assault by the National Shield Forces. Military spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili reported that government forces conducted nearly 1,000 attacks, claiming that over 120 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded. Government troops have also reported recent territorial gains in the al-Jawf governorate, specifically through mountain ranges east of the provincial capital, al-Hazm.
While government forces continue to report progress under 'Operation Dawn of Yemen', the humanitarian situation remains dire in areas such as Taiz. The city has been under a Houthi-imposed siege for over a month. Reports from the state-run Saba news agency indicated that shelling and gunfire in Taiz wounded nine civilians on Sunday, including two children, and resulted in an attack on an ambulance in the al-Awat area.
Key facts
- Houthi rebels claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport, an Aramco site in Abqaiq, and a Riyadh financial centre.
- The Saudi-led coalition intercepted multiple ballistic missiles, a cruise missile, and a drone targeting Saudi territory.
- Yemeni government forces claimed the capture of new positions in the Lahj governorate.
- Government spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili reported approximately 1,000 government attacks resulting in over 120 Houthi casualties.
- Nine civilians were reported wounded in Taiz on Sunday due to shelling and gunfire.
Why it matters
The strategic advances reported in al-Jawf, due to its proximity to the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa, could force the rebels to redistribute their forces. Analysts suggest these developments may provide an opportunity to alleviate the prolonged siege on Taiz. However, the conflict remains a war of attrition, and claims regarding battlefield progress have not been independently verified.
Background
The current conflict is part of a decade-long war that began in September 2014 following the Houthi capture of Sanaa. The latest military phase, known as Operation Dawn of Yemen, commenced on October 5 in an effort to reverse Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast.
Source: Economic Times, Al Jazeera
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