Riyadh, 20 September (H.S.): Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have carried out attacks on several sensitive targets in Saudi Arabia, including the capital Riyadh and an Aramco oil facility in the port city of Yanbu. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh and thwarted other attacks targeting Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu.

According to reports by Al Jazeera and CBS News, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree disclosed the attacks in a statement posted on Telegram. Saree said two key locations in Saudi Arabia were targeted with ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles. This was the first time in months that the Houthis had used cruise missiles. The Houthis have also said they will target Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s most valuable asset.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Saturday that two successful military operations had been carried out in response to Saudi Arabia’s attempts to target the capital, Sanaa. He said the first attack targeted sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, while the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

The attack on Yanbu is significant. The city is located on the Red Sea coast, approximately 700 miles north of the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is also more than 700 miles from the border. The attacks indicate the considerable range of the Houthi weapons being used against targets deep inside Saudi Arabia.

According to Arab News, the Houthi attack on Riyadh has drawn strong condemnation. Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the attacks constituted a blatant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty. Egypt also said the Houthi attacks violated international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Bahrain described the acts as terrorist attacks. Jordan said the attacks posed a threat to Saudi Arabia’s security and stability and constituted a blatant violation of international law. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia.

According to Saudi officials, Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabia earlier this month left dozens of people injured and damaged energy-related facilities. Large-scale fighting in Yemen had largely halted following a United Nations-mediated agreement in 2022, but the renewed fighting marks a significant escalation in regional tensions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar