Escalation of Houthi missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia

Houthi forces, aligned with Iran, have intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting oil infrastructure and airports with ballistic missiles and drones. According to the Saudi-led coalition, multiple projectiles were intercepted, including three ballistic missiles aimed at the Eastern Region and four drones targeting the Southern Region. The Houthis claimed they struck crude oil pumping stations and the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. While Saudi authorities issued civil defense alerts in the Eastern Region and Kharj, they later reported that the threats had been neutralized.

These hostilities represent a significant escalation that has effectively collapsed the 2022 UN-brokered truce. The conflict intensified following Houthi advances near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global oil transport. Saudi Arabia has responded by conducting air strikes on Houthi positions, including the destruction of missile launchers in Sanaa. Tensions are exacerbated by the group's recent activity, including an earlier attack that resulted in 13 casualties.

In an effort to manage the regional fallout, representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are scheduled to hold talks with Iranian officials in Tehran to discuss security coordination. As both sides continue their military maneuvers, the international community remains concerned about the potential for further instability in the region.