Saudi Arabia’s cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif were targeted by ballistic missile and drone attacks by the Houthis in Yemen on Monday. Thirteen civilians were injured, with their injuries described as minor to moderate.
The attacks in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif damaged seven homes and two vehicles.
Coalition accuses Houthis of targeting civilians
Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, accused the Houthis of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Al-Maliki said the coalition would take measures in self-defense to prevent further attacks.
Alert issued for six cities is lifted
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense issued an alert early Tuesday over possible danger in Jeddah, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, Jizan and Al-Ula.
The agency later announced that the danger had passed. Residents were urged to follow safety instructions and avoid gathering or taking photographs.
Yahya Saree raises airstrikes in Yemen
Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesman, claimed Monday that Saudi warplanes had carried out 54 attacks across five Yemeni provinces within 24 hours. Saree said F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets had been used and that the attacks would not go unanswered.
The Houthis had previously announced that they had carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. The group had also threatened to expand its operations against Saudi Arabia.
Fighting in Yemen intensifies since early July
Fighting between forces aligned with the Yemeni government and the Houthis has intensified again since early July, after years of relative calm.
After the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and some provinces in 2014, the Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in 2015 to support the internationally recognized government.
