Photo courtesy of Anadolu
A fresh escalation along Saudi Arabia’s southern frontier left at least 73 civilians injured Tuesday after attacks blamed on Yemen’s Houthi group hit populated areas and energy infrastructure, Saudi officials said.
Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran were among the areas targeted, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. Authorities said women and children were among the casualties but did not immediately release further details on their conditions.
The strikes also reached energy installations. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said fires erupted at affected sites, forcing some operations to stop temporarily while emergency teams worked to control the flames and secure the facilities.
The Saudi-led coalition responded by signaling possible military action. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said forces would take measures to prevent further attacks and protect Saudi territory, describing the latest strikes as a serious escalation.
Tensions have also intensified at sea. Riyadh accused the Houthis of continuing attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and warned that such operations threaten international shipping routes. Saudi Arabia called for stronger international action under existing UN Security Council resolutions.
The attacks came amid signs of renewed momentum on Yemen’s battlefields. Forces aligned with the internationally recognized government reported advances in Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz and Al-Hudaydah on Monday as they sought to regain territory from the Houthis.
The latest fighting threatens the relative calm that has largely prevailed since a UN-mediated truce took effect in April 2022. Yemen’s conflict began escalating after the Houthis captured Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally recognized government.
Saudi Arabia said it reserved the right to defend its territory and infrastructure as the situation develops. Details of the attacks and battlefield claims could not be independently verified amid the continuing conflict.