Houthis Claim Drone Strike on Saudi Najran Airport Amid Escalating Tensions

The Houthi militant group in Yemen has claimed responsibility for striking the Najran Airport in Saudi Arabia, according to reports from AFP and Reuters. The group used a drone to target a 'sensitive site' at the airport, which they stated was in response to Saudi's violation of airspace over the Saada and Hajjah governorates using drones.

The attack is the latest escalation in tensions between the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, which has been ongoing since the Yemeni civil war began in 2014. The conflict dates back to when the Houthi militants took control of Sana'a in 2015, prompting a Gulf coalition led by Saudi Arabia to launch air strikes with the help of intelligence inputs from the United States.

The Houthis have also imposed maritime navigation bans on Saudi vessels, including blocking commercial vessels from passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This has significant implications for Saudi oil exports, which rely heavily on this shipping route.