Houthis say air strikes hit Yemen after Saudi Arabia vows ‘firm’ response

Tensions between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition intensified after both sides exchanged allegations of recent strikes. The coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said missile and drone attacks by the Houthis injured 13 civilians in the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif and damaged several homes and vehicles. Coalition spokesman Major-General Turki al-Maliki warned the Joint Forces Command would respond to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty.

The Houthis, who refer to themselves as Ansar Allah, countered by saying Riyadh had launched dozens of air raids across several Yemeni governorates in the previous 24 hours, naming Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib and Hajjah. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said fighter jets including F-15s and Typhoons operating from Saudi bases were involved and threatened retaliation. Houthi-aligned outlets also reported that Saudi strikes had killed three civilians, among them two children, and wounded others in parts of Taiz province; those casualty claims have not been independently verified.

The exchanges came after the Houthis said they had attacked King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait with missiles and drones, targeting hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition stores. The group also claimed Saudi warplanes had carried out some 300 air raids across Yemen over the prior five days. Yemeni government forces reported counter-moves of their own, saying they retook positions and struck Houthi fighters and equipment along parts of the Red Sea coast near Dhubab and al-Khokha.

Observers note the flare-up follows a significant Houthi push along the Red Sea, where the group has seized islands including the Greater and Lesser Hanish and Mayyun, advancing toward areas near the Bab al-Mandeb strait. That waterway is a crucial route for energy and commercial shipping, and disruptions there have drawn regional and international concern. Saudi authorities did not publicly respond to Houthi claims and the Saudi foreign ministry did not reply to requests for comment; Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify battlefield reports.