Thirteen civilians were injured in Saudi Arabia on Monday after Houthi forces launched a wave of ballistic missiles and drones toward the kingdom, according to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki said the attacks targeted civilian infrastructure in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. The strikes caused minor to moderate injuries and damaged at least seven homes and two vehicles, the coalition said.
Al-Maliki condemned what he described as repeated attacks against civilians and civilian facilities. He said the coalition’s Joint Forces Command would respond “responsibly and firmly” to protect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, civilians and infrastructure, in line with international law and the UN Charter’s principle of self-defence.
The Houthis separately claimed to have seized the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea. The group also said Saudi aircraft had conducted 54 air strikes over the previous 24 hours.
US Supreme Court Blocks Trump Mail-Ballot Rule Ahead of Midterms
The Houthis further claimed that they launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, saying the strikes achieved “direct hits”. Saudi authorities did not immediately respond to the claim.
Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces said they had targeted Houthi fighters and military equipment in the Dhubab and al-Khokha areas near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
The latest escalation came hours after US Vice President JD Vance said Washington was holding direct talks with the Houthis as part of efforts to address the worsening regional conflict. The remarks pointed to direct US engagement with the Yemen-based group despite continued military hostilities.
Tensions around Yemen have continued to rise as Houthi attacks and retaliatory strikes by regional and international forces increase concerns about a broader conflict. Washington has repeatedly condemned Houthi attacks on shipping and regional targets, while the group has linked its military operations to the wider Middle East conflict.
