The Middle East conflict expanded significantly as a coordinated attack by Houthi forces struck southern Saudi Arabia, injuring 11 people, according to regional intelligence reports and military officials. The escalation follows a broader regional confrontation ignited by United States and Israeli military actions against Iran in February 2026, which prompted Iranian retaliatory strikes against U.S. facilities in the Gulf.
Houthi Drone and Missile Strikes Hit Southern Saudi Arabia
According to Al Arabiya, citing a senior Saudi source, credible intelligence pointed to an active coordination effort involving Yemen-based Houthi fighters, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, and the IRGC to launch simultaneous operations against the kingdom. Shortly after those reports surfaced, Houthi forces launched a strike targeting southern Saudi Arabia, leaving 11 people injured in Najran near the Yemeni border, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Jenderal Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, stated that the attack occurred on Thursday evening. The wounded individuals include seven Saudi citizens, two Egyptian nationals, one Yemeni, and one Pakistani. The senior Saudi source noted that intelligence had monitored the repositioning of missiles and drones intended for attacks against civilian and energy facilities, vital infrastructure, airports, and ports.
Escalating Casualties Among Government Troops in Central Yemen
Alongside cross-border fire into the kingdom, fighting intensified inside Yemen. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi movement, announced that forces launched ballistic missiles and drone strikes against military positions in central and eastern Yemen, killing at least 58 Yemeni government soldiers. Saree claimed the operation was a response to what he termed a military buildup supported by Saudi Arabia. In reaction, the Yemeni Ministry of Defense vowed to retaliate against the Houthi offensive.
The latest violence marks the highest casualty toll recorded in Saudi territory during more than four years of active conflict with the Houthi movement. The group continues to control Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, and other strategic territories. While hostilities had slowed following a 2022 truce, Houthi commanders renewed attacks after direct flights from Iran landed in Sanaa, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to react and the Houthis to announce a naval blockade on Saudi ports.
Saudi-U.S. Defense Relations Amid Regional Instability
Despite the widening frontlines, military ties between Riyadh and Washington remain very strong. According to regional assessments, the defense alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia operates at a high level, including between the militaries of both countries. The Saudi government has maintained that it will not hesitate to take all steps to respond to any form of aggression while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic channels to de-escalate regional tensions.
Did you know?
Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government against Houthi forces since 2015, following a conflict that began more than 11 years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who launched the recent attack on southern Saudi Arabia?
According to AFP and the Saudi-led coalition, Houthi forces based in Yemen carried out the strike on Najran, injuring 11 people.
What triggered the latest escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia?
The renewed cross-border attacks coincided with a broader regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, alongside the landing of direct flights from Iran in Sanaa.
How many Yemeni government soldiers were killed in the parallel domestic clashes?
At least 58 Yemeni government soldiers were killed in missile and drone strikes targeting positions in central and eastern Yemen, according to Houthi military statements.
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