Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the Houthis continued to target Saudi Arabia’s national assets and infrastructure, adding that the coalition would respond “responsibly” to protect the country’s sovereignty, infrastructure and civilians.
The attacks came a day after Houthi strikes on Khamis Mushait, Abha and surrounding areas injured 73 people and set several oil facilities on fire.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence said alerts in Khamis Mushait and Abha had been lifted on Wednesday following the previous day’s attacks.
The latest strikes came amid a wider escalation in the Middle East, with the Iran-backed Houthis expanding attacks against Saudi Arabia while the United States and Iran continue to exchange fire and Washington targets Iranian oil tankers.
The Houthis targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby areas on Tuesday in what was described as one of the largest attacks on Saudi Arabia since the US and Israel began their war against Iran in February.
Saudi-Houthi tensions rise
The renewed fighting has raised fears that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could return to a broader confrontation after a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely brought years of fighting to an end.
Saudi Arabia leads an Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is based in the south after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, 12 years ago.
The conflict has increasingly become part of the wider regional confrontation, with the Houthis closely aligned with Iran and Saudi Arabia a key US ally.
In July, the Houthis announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The Saudi-led coalition subsequently carried out strikes on what it described as Houthi military facilities in Yemen.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have also launched a multi-front offensive against Houthi-held areas in recent days after the group attempted to advance towards government positions.
The government says its objective is to retake all territory controlled by the Houthis.
Claims of casualties in Yemen
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, citing the group’s health ministry, reported that at least 32 people had been killed in Saudi strikes on Yemen’s Al Jawf province over the previous two days.
Saudi Arabia has not confirmed that it carried out strikes in Al Jawf.
Riyadh has described the Houthi attacks as a dangerous escalation and said the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks. The Houthis, meanwhile, say their strikes are a response to Saudi military escalation in Yemen.
