Houthis fire fresh salvoes at Saudi Arabia and Aden

Three people died in Sanaa on Friday when a malfunctioning missile crashed into a family home. The projectile was fired by Houthi forces, a development that highlights the chaotic nature of the current fighting. Yemen’s army confirmed the loss of life and noted that similar technical failures have become more common in recent weeks.

The violence escalated further on Saturday with new attacks on Saudi Arabia and Aden. The Houthis targeted the international airport in Aden, which serves as the seat of the recognized Yemen government. This marked the fourth strike on the facility within the current month. The Transport Ministry expressed strong condemnation through a social media post. Officials emphasized that such attacks endanger civilian travel and impose heavy economic and humanitarian costs on residents.

Ground targets in Aden also came under fire during the assault. Authorities reported hits on the coastguard headquarters and an additional structure. Houthi leaders claimed responsibility for strikes on the al-Nasr camp and a naval base. These actions continue the group's effort to pressure both its regional rival and the government it opposes locally.

Saudi Arabia confirmed that two ballistic missiles were launched toward Mecca and Medina. The civil defence agency warned the public about falling debris after intercepting the projectiles. Visual evidence released by the Saudi Press Agency showed a large, darkened missile fragment that landed inside the kingdom's borders.

The Houthis rejected the official account of their targeting choices. They described the claim that they aimed at Islam's holiest cities as a significant falsehood. Instead, the group stated that its intended goals were three airports, oil facilities, and a military airbase in Saudi Arabia. This dispute over the exact targets adds another layer of tension to the ongoing exchange.

In response to the strikes, Houthi-controlled media reported that Saudi coalition airstrikes killed several civilians in Sanaa and Hodeidah. The port city is a key area of control for the armed group. Riyadh has not yet provided an official comment on these alleged raids. Independent verification of the casualty figures remains difficult at this stage.

Tensions in the Gulf region have risen sharply following these events. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, labeled the attacks heinous. He stated in a Saturday release that the strikes showed a clear disregard for the safety of non-combatants. His remarks underscore the diplomatic concern surrounding the conflict.

The broader conflict has intensified since a fragile truce agreed upon in 2022 broke down in July. Long-range strikes on energy and aviation targets have defined this new phase of the war. Fighting along the front lines remains fierce as Houthi forces clash with government troops over strategic areas.

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, a spokesman for the Yemeni army, provided an update on ground operations. He reported that government forces carried out over 700 targeted actions in the last day. These operations reportedly neutralized 300 fighters and destroyed military vehicles. The fighting has focused on command posts, weapons storage, and supply routes in Taiz, a region that has seen days of heavy combat.