Saudi Arabia says 3 killed in airport attacks claimed by Houthis, vows strikes ‘will not go unpunished’ | What we know

Saudi Arabia said three people were killed in airport attacks claimed by the Houthis, with strikes reported in Riyadh and Abha. The kingdom has vowed retaliation as fighting intensifies in Yemen, raising concerns over security around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb route.

Three people have been killed and dozens wounded in attacks targeting airports in Saudi Arabia, the country’s civil aviation authorities said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The development comes as fighting between Iran-aligned Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops intensifies.

One person was killed and eight others were wounded in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while two people were killed and 28 were wounded in an attack targeting facilities at Abha airport, according to the Saudi civil aviation authorities, as cited by Reuters.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attacks, which came amid a wider escalation in Yemen and growing fighting around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Saudi Arabia vows retaliation

A Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government vowed retaliation following the airport attacks, saying they “will not go unpunished”, as per Reuters.

The coalition later said it had carried out strikes on more than 80 Houthi military sites across the Yemeni governorates of Saada, Hodeidah, Jawf and Marib, the report said.

The latest Saudi strikes and Houthi attacks mark a sharp escalation in fighting that has increasingly drawn attention to Yemen’s strategic position along one of the world’s key maritime routes.

The attacks on Saudi airports were part of a wider series of strikes on the aviation infrastructure.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Houthis attacked Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones, according to Yemen’s Transport Ministry.

The latest escalation follows several recent incidents around Riyadh.

On September 18, Saudi-led coalition forces said they had intercepted and destroyed a suspected Houthi ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh from Yemen, according to Al Jazeera.

A day later, on September 19, at least one explosion was heard near Riyadh airport, while a large plume of black smoke was seen rising from a fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, an Al Jazeera report said.

Why is Bab el-Mandeb important?

The latest fighting has also brought renewed attention to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Battles in Yemen have intensified around areas close to the strait, including territory around the port town of Mocha. Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi-led coalition air support, launched a counteroffensive this week to retake strategic areas captured by the Houthis in September.

With Hormuz emerging as a major chokepoint for energy shipments, the Bab el-Mandeb has come under renewed scrutiny as the Houthis step up attacks and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces seek to regain control of territory near the strait.

Yemen war enters another dangerous phase

The latest escalation is reviving a conflict that has already devastated Yemen for more than a decade.

Saudi-backed forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognised government are now engaged in increasingly intense fighting with the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control large parts of the country and territory around the strategic Red Sea corridor.

The conflict has also created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

More than 200,000 people have been displaced since the latest round of fighting began, the International Organization for Migration said on Wednesday.

With inputs from Reuters.

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.

^{Get Latest real-time updates}

Stay updated with the latest Trending, India, World and US news.

HomeNewsWorldSaudi Arabia says 3 killed in airport attacks claimed by Houthis, vows strikes ‘will not go unpunished’ | What we know