Houthi Strikes Hit Saudi South, Wound 73

A wave of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement has struck several locations in southern Saudi Arabia, leaving at least 73 people wounded. Officials said the casualties included women and children, underscoring the impact on the civilian population. The strikes were described by Saudi authorities as a significant escalation in the conflict.

The Riyadh-led coalition stated that the attacks targeted "civilian and economic" sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, all in the southwest of the kingdom. These areas lie near the border with Yemen and host a mix of residential, commercial and infrastructure facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry reported that the attacks ignited fires at several oil facilities and utilities in the southern region. The blazes affected multiple sites and triggered an immediate emergency response. Authorities emphasized that specialized teams were deployed to bring the fires under control and to secure the locations.

Operations at some energy facilities and public utilities were temporarily suspended while firefighting and emergency teams worked to contain the fires and assess damage. Officials focused on ensuring the safety of personnel and infrastructure before resuming normal activity. Damage assessments were continuing as teams moved across the affected locations.

Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the coalition, characterized the strikes as a "dangerous" escalation. He said the Joint Forces Command would take "all necessary operational measures" to deter further attacks by the Houthis. The coalition framed the response as part of wider efforts to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the kingdom affirms its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty. It also called for an immediate halt to any further escalation. The strikes drew swift condemnation from Saudi Arabia’s regional allies, highlighting concern over the latest round of cross-border attacks.

While the Houthis did not immediately issue a detailed statement on the attacks, a Houthi military spokesperson said the group would announce in the coming hours a broad operation deep inside Saudi territory. This signaled the possibility of further actions beyond the initial strikes in the southern region.

The combination of civilian casualties, disruption to energy facilities and warnings of additional operations underscored the tension surrounding the latest attacks. Saudi authorities continued emergency and security measures on the ground as they worked to stabilize the affected areas and evaluate the full extent of the damage.