Houthi militia claims responsibility for rocket and drone attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia

Reactions at Riyadh airport

Riyadh airport is a central hub for international air traffic to Saudi Arabia. Reports of disruptions to flight operations attracted attention from airlines and tour operators. Passengers were informed of possible delays and diversions.

The port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea hosts important facilities of Saudi Aramco, including infrastructure for the processing and export of petroleum products. Any disruption to these facilities would have immediate consequences for the global energy market. To date, no information on possible damage to the facilities has been released.

Yanbu and Aramco's energy infrastructure

The Houthi rebels control large parts of northern Yemen and have been waging an armed conflict for years against the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The conflict has repeatedly spilled over into the neighboring kingdom, including through attacks on Saudi territory and energy infrastructure. International mediation efforts, including United Nations initiatives, have so far not produced a lasting ceasefire.

Background of the conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia

Iran is named by Saudi Arabia and its allies as a supporter of the Houthi militia. Tehran has repeatedly rejected these accusations. The dispute between Riyadh and Tehran is one of the defining conflicts of the region and has implications for diplomatic relations in the Middle East.

The United Nations and Western governments have called for de-escalation in the past. Sanctions on individual actors and UN Security Council resolutions concern arms deliveries to the parties to the conflict. An independent review of the recent attacks is pending.

The news agency AFP reported on the statement by the Houthi spokesperson and referred to Saudi sources that confirmed the incident at Riyadh airport. Several international media outlets picked up the report and cited, in agreement, the information from both sides.