The Houthis of Yemen launched a missile attack on Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia, resulting in dozens of injuries. This attack comes as eyewitnesses report panic in the airport terminal.
Details of the Incident
Witnesses reported hearing an explosion while waiting to board their flight and saw people injured as a result of the attack. One witness said: "I was at gate 403 and saw gate 401 being hit, and injured people were in front of me. Everyone was fleeing." A local hospital source also stated that five people were transferred to the hospital in critical condition and "dozens" of others were injured.
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Political and Military Context
This incident occurs as Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, claim to have successfully conducted operations to reclaim the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Houthis. However, reports about this operation vary, and it remains unclear whether this advance has been entirely successful. A Houthi spokesperson stated that government forces in Aden were targeted using a large number of ballistic missiles, claiming that over 22 armored vehicles were destroyed and dozens of people, including several commanders, were killed or injured.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Jaber, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, expressed happiness over the victories, stating: "A blessed Friday and victory for every Yemeni and Arab. The Bab al-Mandab Strait has been cleared of the remnants of the Houthi terrorist militia." This comes as reports indicate that the Houthis took control of the strait two weeks ago and announced that no commercial traffic related to Saudi Arabia would be permitted in this waterway.
Consequences and Future
The United Nations has also reported that Yemen, as the poorest country in the world, has returned to a widespread war, with women and children being the first victims of these conflicts. Given that the Houthis continuously target airports, oil facilities, and tankers in Saudi Arabia, these attacks clearly indicate rising tensions in the region. Saudi officials are keenly seeking to provide a report on the recapture of the Bab al-Mandab Strait to demonstrate that their ground attacks earlier this week are progressing.
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