Houthi Group Launches Missile Attack on Saudi Arabia After Vowing Retaliation

The Iran-backed Houthi group launched a missile attack on Saudi Arabia, hours after pledging revenge against Riyadh, as the war in West Asia expands across the region. Riyadh had conducted airstrikes on Houthi military sites in Hodeida the previous day, with Houthi media reporting two individuals injured after the group announced maritime blockades against Saudi Arabia and attacked its ships. The latest clashes open a new front in the conflict that has gripped the region since U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran in February. The conflict also occurs as Iran imposes blockades on the Strait of Hormuz, the only other maritime route for Riyadh. The Houthis had previously accused Saudi Arabia of 'dangerous escalation' and warned they would not let the attacks go unanswered. Houthi media, Ansarullah, stated via Telegram that Yemeni missile attacks caused a fire in the southern Saudi city of Jizan, near the Red Sea. Riyadh's civil defense agency issued a brief warning to residents in Jizan and Yanbu early Saturday about potential danger, withdrawing it minutes later. Such warnings have been issued before when missiles or drones were launched toward Saudi Arabia. The warning came after a Saudi-led coalition stated it attacked Houthi sites and destroyed targets threatening commercial shipping in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping. Yemeni security sources told AFP that naval bases in the port city of Hodeida and a military camp on Kamaran Island were among the targets of Saudi Arabia's attacks. The Houthis claim to have attacked two Saudi ships earlier this week, with Riyadh confirming one of the attacks occurred in the Red Sea. Red Sea access is crucial for Saudi Arabia to ensure continuous oil shipments as shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.

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two individuals were injured