The Houthi group claimed responsibility for a deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 309 others. The attack, which targeted the heart of Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure, marked a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Yemeni rebels and Saudi forces. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties, noting that four were Saudi citizens and eight were foreign residents, including two Bangladeshis and one each from the United States and Egypt.
The Houthi attacks followed a similar strike on the same airport the previous day, which had already forced authorities to suspend operations. The group claimed responsibility for multiple strikes over the past 24 hours, intensifying pressure on Saudi Arabia. In response, Yemen’s government reported that its forces had carried out 1,700 strikes on Houthi targets, including sites, fighters, and vehicles around Taiz. The Yemeni military also claimed its jets had targeted Houthi positions in the region.
The conflict, backed by Iran, has seen a pattern of escalating attacks on Saudi infrastructure, with the Houthis aiming to disrupt the kingdom’s strategic interests. The recent strikes highlight the asymmetrical nature of the war, where the rebels use guerrilla tactics to challenge a technologically superior force. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, with both sides continuing to exchange attacks on critical facilities.
