Yemen’s Houthis on Monday claimed to have carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on a Saudi air base in the southern city of Khamis Mushait.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group targeted King Khalid Air Base with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones.
He claimed the attack targeted aircraft hangars, radars, runways, ammunition depots and other military facilities, causing “significant losses” at the base.
The Houthis said the operation came in response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, claiming Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets had carried out more than 300 strikes across several Yemeni provinces over the past five days.
There was no immediate Saudi confirmation of the Houthi claims regarding damage at the air base.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued an alert in Khamis Mushait governorate but later said “the danger has passed.” It urged residents to continue following Civil Defense instructions and avoid gathering and filming.
The Houthis vowed to continue attacks inside Saudi Arabia as long as Saudi military operations in Yemen continue, warning that any new attacks would be met with “broader and more severe” operations.
The attack comes amid a sharp escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the two sides exchanging attacks in recent days.Saudi Arabia has intensified airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen, while the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks targeting southern Saudi cities and energy facilities.
Last week, Saudi authorities said 73 civilians were injured in Houthi attacks targeting Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, while attacks also caused fires and temporary disruptions at energy facilities in the kingdom.
The Houthis captured Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014, and have been battling a Saudi-led coalition for more than a decade.
