Houthis Claim Ballistic Missile and Drone Attacks on Riyadh Airport and Saudi Oil Infrastructure
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for launching a new round of targeted ballistic missile strikes against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the armed group also executed coordinated drone attacks against major oil pumping stations across the eastern and western provinces of the kingdom.
Coordinated Strikes Targeting Strategic Infrastructure
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Saree asserted that Houthi forces launched precision ballistic missiles aimed at King Khalid Airport in the Saudi capital. In tandem with the airport strike, several armed drones were deployed targeting crude oil pumping stations in key logistics corridors across the country.
The latest assault follows a series of claimed operations. Just a day prior, the Houthis declared hitting multiple targets including King Khalid Airport, the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, and a naval base located in Jizan. The group claimed to have launched seven distinct attacks targeting military bases, airports, and energy assets across Saudi territory.
"Our forces successfully targeted King Khalid Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, alongside multiple drone strikes on oil infrastructure across Saudi Arabia."
— Yahya Saree, Houthi Military Spokesperson
Saudi Defense and Coalition Counter-Strikes
Saudi Arabian air defense forces stated that they intercepted and destroyed incoming Houthi ballistic missiles heading toward Riyadh prior to the Houthis' public announcement. However, Saudi authorities have not officially verified the extent of any impact or damage at the Riyadh airport facility.
In response to escalating cross-border violence, the Saudi-led coalition conducted retaliatory airstrikes destroying two Houthi missile launch sites located in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. According to Houthi reports, the coalition carried out at least 56 airstrikes over a 24-hour period across multiple Yemeni provinces, including Hodeidah, Lahj, Amran, Saada, Al-Jawf, Taiz, and Ibb.
Rising Tensions and Conflicting Claims
The escalation marks a dangerous surge in cross-border military activity. While Saudi Arabia has previously accused the rebel group of aiming strikes toward holy sites in Mecca and Medina, Houthi officials have firmly denied targeting religious landmarks, maintaining that their operational focus remains strictly on military installations and economic infrastructure supporting coalition forces.