Houthis claim fresh drone and missile attacks on Saudi targets

Sanaa: Yemen's Houthis claimed on Friday fresh drone attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a key Saudi oil pipeline, along with missile strikes on Saudi-linked military positions in Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia. The claims have not been independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not immediately commented.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said one drone targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while two drones struck Pumping Station No. 3 on the East-West oil pipeline east of the capital. He said both operations had "achieved their objectives," without providing evidence of damage.

In a separate statement, Sarea said two ballistic missiles hit gatherings of Saudi forces in Al-Tuwal, in Saudi Arabia's southwestern Jazan region. He claimed dozens of personnel were killed or wounded, including Sudanese nationals.

The Houthis also said ballistic missiles and drones targeted Saudi-linked troop positions in eastern Al-Jawf province and the Kharaz and Khor Umairah areas of southern Lahj province. Sarea further claimed attacks on Saudi weapons depots at Ras Abas military base in Aden.

None of the reported attacks, casualties, or damage could be independently confirmed. Saudi authorities had not issued an immediate response to the Houthi statements.

The claims come as fighting intensifies between Houthi forces and the Yemeni government, which is backed by the Saudi-led coalition, particularly around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Yemen has been in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting Saudi-led military intervention in 2015.

(Inputs from IANS)