Houthi Missile and Drone Attacks Hit Southern Saudi Cities for Second Day

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles and drones at the southern Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait and Jazan on Wednesday, according to the Saudi-led coalition. This marks the second consecutive day of attacks on the kingdom.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the Houthis were continuing to target Saudi Arabia's national assets and infrastructure. He stated that the coalition would respond "responsibly" to safeguard the kingdom's sovereignty, its national assets, and its civilians.

The latest strikes come a day after Houthi attacks in the region wounded 73 people and set oil installations ablaze. Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense lifted alerts in Khamis Mushait and Abha on Wednesday following the earlier assault.

The Tuesday attack, which struck an airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby cities, has been described as one of the most significant against Saudi Arabia since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in February.

Tensions between the two sides have escalated recently, raising concerns of a return to broader conflict after a U.N.-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted years of war. The conflict has become a theatre in the wider regional war, with the Houthis allied with Iran and Saudi Arabia allied with the United States.

The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in July, prompting coalition strikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities in Yemen. In recent days, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched a multi-pronged offensive on Houthi-held areas, aiming to recapture all territory held by the group.

Meanwhile, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that at least 32 people have been killed in Saudi strikes on Yemen's Al Jawf province over the past two days. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed carrying out strikes there. The Houthis say their attacks are in response to Saudi escalation in Yemen.