Saudi-led coalition calls Houthi attacks on kingdom 'dangerous escalation'

Riyadh, September 8 (IANS): The Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised government in Yemen said on Tuesday that recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi group targeting Saudi Arabia constitute a “dangerous escalation.”

In a post on social media platform X, coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said the escalation by the Houthi group and its attempts to target the kingdom, its national assets, citizens and residents reflect what he described as a "hostile and irresponsible approach."

Al-Maliki said the latest attacks targeted civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, injuring 73 civilians, including women and children, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He said the attacks constituted a violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents.

Al-Maliki added that the coalition's Joint Forces Command would take necessary operational measures to deter the Houthi group, respond to the sources of threats and neutralise their danger.

Houthis said Tuesday that they hit multiple targets in Saudi Arabia, including Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base and facilities belonging to the state-owned oil company Aramco in Abha and Jizan, according to Houthi-run media Ansarollah.

On Monday, Yemen's Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes and cruise missile attacks across several provinces of the war-ravaged country, as an escalating battle with government forces spread to multiple fronts.

"The Saudi enemy targeted the provinces of Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Marib and Taiz with several airstrikes and cruise missiles," Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV reported, without giving details on casualties or damage.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the group had "managed to shoot down a Saudi CH-4 reconnaissance drone" over Khabb wa ash-Sha'af district in the northern province of Al-Jawf on Monday.