New Delhi: Tensions between the Houthis of Yemen and Saudi Arabia continue to escalate, with both sides launching attacks against each other. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted high-rise buildings, airports, and oil storage facilities in Saudi Arabia, a fact the Houthi organisation itself has acknowledged. However, they have denied carrying out any attacks on Mecca or Medina.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran Airport, and an airbase in Khamis Mushait. They have explicitly refuted any claims regarding attacks on Mecca or Medina. The Houthi attacks have caused significant damage in Saudi Arabia, and there appears to be little prospect of a peaceful resolution between the two sides at present.
Houthis continue to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Houthis are persistently attacking Saudi Arabia. Reports of strikes on Saudi energy facilities emerged as early as October. Additionally, on October 13, a fire was reported at the Saudi Aramco headquarters complex in Dhahran. The Saudi Ministry of Energy stated that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the incident.
The Dhahran facility serves as a key operations centre for Aramco, overseeing oil wells, refineries, import terminals, and pipelines. On October 14, the Houthis further escalated the situation by claiming responsibility for attacks on Aramco facilities in Dhahran and a refinery in Riyadh.
Houthis also targeted airports.
The Houthis appear to be consistently targeting airbases and airports in Saudi Arabia. On October 10, they launched an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A large number of people lost their lives in these incidents. Reports also emerged of an attack on the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
It was reported that one Saudi national and one Indian national were among those killed. Additionally, many others were reported injured. The Houthis also issued a warning to airlines, advising them against using Saudi airspace.
The Cause of the Tension
Many are curious about the root cause of the tension between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen. It stems from an incident in July 2016, when a Houthi delegation was returning home from Iran; the runway at Sana’a International Airport was subjected to a bombing. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack and vowed to retaliate. Since then, the Houthis have launched a series of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia.
