Houthi Attacks Target Saudi Cities, Coalition Vows Response

RIYADH: (News Desk) – The Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s constitutional government has accused the Houthi militia of continuing attacks against Saudi Arabia’s vital infrastructure and national assets.

Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement posted on X that the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones on Wednesday, September 9, targeting Khamis Mushait, Abha and Jizan.

Al-Maliki said the repeated attacks demonstrated what he described as the Houthi militia’s “extremist ideology” and its continued policy of targeting civilians inside Saudi Arabia.

He said the coalition’s joint forces would respond responsibly to the attacks to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and protect its national assets, civilians and civilian facilities.

According to the spokesperson, any military response would be carried out under the right to self-defence recognised by international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, while respecting international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, Saudi Civil Defense in Khamis Mushait said the threat in the governorate had been neutralised after authorities issued an emergency alert for the fourth time within 24 hours.

In a statement on X, the Civil Defense urged residents to continue following safety instructions, avoid gatherings and refrain from taking photographs. It also advised people to call 998 in case of an emergency.

The latest developments followed a Houthi claim on Tuesday that it had targeted an airbase in southern Saudi Arabia.

Major General al-Maliki said earlier Houthi attacks had targeted civilian and economic facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran, leaving 73 civilians injured. He added that coalition forces would take all necessary measures to halt the attacks and counter what he called the Houthis’ “hostile behaviour.”

The Saudi Cabinet condemned the attacks as a “heinous aggression” against civilian and economic facilities and ordered that those injured receive the highest level of medical care.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said the Kingdom would not tolerate attacks against its territory or resources and reserved its legitimate right to take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.

The United Nations, European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council have also condemned the Houthi attacks.

Pakistan strongly denounced the attacks and expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said attacks on civilians and energy facilities threatened regional peace and security and endangered innocent lives.

Algeria and Somalia also condemned the attacks and voiced solidarity with Saudi Arabia.