Yemen’s Houthis reported around 40 Saudi airstrikes on Thursday, saying the attacks targeted several areas amid escalating clashes between the Iran-backed group and Saudi forces.
According to the Houthi news agency Saba, the reported Saudi airstrikes struck the governorates of Taiz, Hodeida, Al-Jawf and Marib. The group described the attacks as a fresh wave of strikes following its recent operations against Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Saudi civil defence authorities issued an all-clear after an emergency alert in the southwestern province of Khamis Mushait. It was the fourth alert reported in the area within 24 hours as tensions continued to rise.
The latest developments followed Houthi attacks that wounded at least 73 people in four southern Saudi cities, including Khamis Mushait. The Saudi-led coalition said the attacks targeted national assets and infrastructure.
The Houthis claimed they had attacked an airbase in Khamis Mushait as well as oil infrastructure in nearby cities. The group described the operation as one of its largest attacks against Saudi Arabia since the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February.
Saudi authorities said the Houthis continued attacks against national assets and infrastructure on Wednesday. However, the reported Saudi airstrikes were described by the Houthis as a response to the recent escalation and attacks from the group.
Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified in recent months, raising concerns about a wider conflict. The escalation has renewed fears that the relative calm established after a UN-brokered truce in 2022 could be disrupted.
