Yemeni Houthi forces launched two large-scale missile and drone attacks targeting the Saudi capital of Riyadh and an Aramco oil facility in Yanbu, according to a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run television channel Al-Masirah.
Missile and Drone Strikes Hit Riyadh and Yanbu Energy Infrastructure
According to military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the operations involved a large number of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The first operation targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh, while the second struck an installation operated by the Saudi state oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, a major industrial and energy hub on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Sarea stated that the operations were crowned with success and caused large fires at the targeted sites. Two series of explosions were heard in Riyadh, with smoke visible near King Khalid International Airport following the second incident, which caused flight delays.
In a prior operation detailed by Xinhua coverage from September 2025, Houthi forces claimed responsibility for massive drone and missile strikes against facilities in Abha, Najran, Jazan, and the King Khalid Air Base. According to the Saudi Ministry of Energy cited in those reports, those earlier attacks wounded 73 people, sparked fires at energy installations, and forced temporary suspensions of operations. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki characterized those actions as a dangerous escalation.
Motivations and Regional Fallout
Houthi leadership framed the strikes as a direct response to military actions in Yemen. Sarea asserted that the recent operations answered a sharp escalation in Saudi military actions, pointing to dozens of airstrikes conducted against Houthi-held areas. The cross-border violence coincides with intensified ground fighting inside Yemen, where government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition have clashed with Houthi fighters across multiple fronts, including Taiz, Hodeida, and Jawf.
Did you know?
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg described the renewed surge in hostilities as an extremely alarming development. Grundberg urged all parties involved to cease military actions immediately and exercise maximum restraint to prevent further civilian casualties and regional destabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What targets were hit in the latest Houthi strikes?
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the attacks targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh and an Aramco oil facility in Yanbu using missiles and drones.
How did Saudi authorities respond to the cross-border attacks?
While Saudi officials reported minor disruptions and flight delays in Riyadh following explosions near the international airport, previous large-scale incursions prompted the Saudi-led coalition to condemn the actions as a dangerous escalation and vow countermeasures.
What is the broader context of these military escalations?
The cross-border missile and drone launches run parallel to ongoing ground offensives inside Yemen, where government forces supported by Saudi Arabia are fighting Houthi units in contested provinces like Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeida.
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