Houthis Claim 52 Saudi Airstrikes Across Yemen in 24 Hours
SANAA:Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed that Saudi warplanes carried out 52 airstrikes across five Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours, as cross-border tensions between the two sides continue to escalate. ([ap7am.com][1])
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement posted on social media platform X that F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets launched from Saudi bases in Khamis Mushait and Taif carried out the strikes.
According to Saree, the reported strikes targeted areas in Taiz, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Saada and Amran provinces. He alleged that schools, bridges, roads and other civilian infrastructure were also hit. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the Houthi claims. ([Video IQ][2])
Saree warned that the alleged attacks would not go unanswered, signaling the possibility of further Houthi attacks against Saudi targets.
Meanwhile, Houthi-affiliated media reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed and two others injured in airstrikes in the Dhubab and Maqbanah districts of Taiz province. The reported casualties have not been independently verified. ([ABC News][3])
The reported Saudi strikes followed Houthi missile and drone attacks on the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. Saudi-led coalition authorities said those attacks injured 13 civilians and damaged homes and vehicles, while the coalition vowed a firm response. ([Al Jazeera][4])
The latest escalation comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen, with Houthi forces making advances along parts of the Red Sea coast and toward the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The renewed violence has also worsened the humanitarian situation, with the UN reporting that more than 100,000 people have been displaced. ([Reuters][5])
The conflict began in 2014 after the Houthis seized Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
