Urgent: Houthi Missile Attack Strikes Saudi Airbase As Regional Crisis Deepens
Yemen’s Houthi forces launched a major offensive on Monday, striking the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia, with dozens of ballistic missiles and attack drones. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the operation targeted fighter hangars, radars, runways, and ammunition storage facilities. Saree characterized the attack as retaliation for over 300 Saudi airstrikes conducted against Yemen over the preceding five days, launched from the Khamis Mushait and Taif regions.
- Houthi forces struck the King Khalid Air Base with ballistic missiles and drones.
- Thirteen civilians were injured and seven houses were damaged in Saudi cities.
- Omani Foreign Minister postponed scheduled talks between Iran and Gulf states.
- Brent crude prices surpassed 100 dollars per barrel following the attacks.
Saudi Arabia Emergency Alerts And Civilian Casualties
The Saudi Civil Defence issued emergency alerts for Khamis Mushait, Abha, and other southern cities. Residents reported intense explosions and fires that persisted for an extended duration. According to the Saudi-led coalition, the barrage resulted in injuries to 13 civilians across Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, while causing damage to seven houses and two vehicles.
Broader Regional Crisis And Oil Prices
This escalation coincides with a broader regional crisis. The Houthis recently seized control of the Red Sea port of Mokha and Perim Island at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. These developments follow a strike on Friday, attributed by Riyadh to Iran-aligned Iraqi fighters, which disabled Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, a critical conduit for Gulf crude. Following these events, Brent crude prices surpassed $100 per barrel, and U.S. diesel prices reached record levels.
Diplomatic Setbacks And Military Mobilization
Diplomatic efforts suffered a setback on Monday as Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi postponed scheduled talks in Muscat between Iran and Gulf states regarding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, citing a need for consensus. While Tehran claimed Saudi Arabia requested the delay, Bahrain had previously declined to participate. During the same period, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah to discuss regional security.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denied Iranian involvement in the conflict, describing the Houthis as independent actors. However, analysts note that the Houthi tactical moves, including the seizing of islands and the pipeline strike, appear coordinated with the suspension of diplomatic talks. Saudi officials have labeled the campaign a dangerous escalation as the four-year ceasefire in Yemen effectively ends. Riyadh is currently mobilizing military assets, including armor, Apache helicopters, and fighter aircraft, along the Yemeni border.