Houthi and Saudi Forces Continue Exchange of Attacks

JAKARTA — The Houthi movement has accused Saudi Arabia of launching dozens of air strikes on several areas of Yemen, after the Riyadh-led coalition pledged to respond ‘firmly’ to Houthi missile and drone attacks that wounded 13 civilians in three Saudi Arabian cities.

The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said the Houthi attacks struck Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Tuesday. The attacks caused mild to moderate injuries among civilians and damaged seven houses and two vehicles.

‘The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will deal with these attacks in a responsible and firm manner to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty,’ said coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Several hours later, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, claimed that Saudi Arabia had carried out 54 air strikes in the past 24 hours. The strikes were said to have targeted a number of areas in the provinces of Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib and Hajjah.

The Houthis said the Saudi air strikes also hit a government complex in Khadir district, Taiz province, wounding a number of people.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets operating from Saudi air bases in Khamis Mushait and Taif were used in the attacks. He also threatened to carry out retaliatory strikes.

Houthi-affiliated media reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed in Saudi strikes in the Dhubab and Maqbanah districts of Taiz province. At least two others were reported wounded.

At the time this report was published, Saudi Arabia had not issued any public response to the Houthi claims. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not respond to a request for comment.