Houthis Claim Missile Strikes on Riyadh, Aramco Facilities
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels escalated on Thursday, September 24, as the Houthis claimed to have launched missiles and drones at Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu, and other targets. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis, which were aimed at Taif in western Saudi Arabia and the Yanbu area on the Red Sea.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated that they had used ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones in the operations, adding that they had achieved their objectives. However, there was no immediate confirmation of an attack on Riyadh from Saudi Arabia.
The escalation poses a threat to Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil through the Red Sea at a time when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted and the kingdom's East-West pipeline is resuming operations after drone strikes earlier this month. The Houthis have declared a naval blockade on the kingdom in July, opening up a second theater in the US-Iran war.