Houthi forces in Yemen announced they launched missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Houthi military stated the operation was a response to earlier Saudi-led airstrikes targeting the port city of Hodeida, a strategic location on the Red Sea coast.
Saudi state media reported that the kingdom’s air defense systems intercepted several projectiles, though it did not immediately confirm the full extent of the attempted strikes or report any casualties. The Saudi-led coalition has maintained that its operations in Hodeida target military infrastructure used to threaten commercial shipping lanes.
The exchange follows a month of increased tension in the region. Houthi officials said the strikes on Hodeida resulted in civilian casualties and damage to energy facilities, while Saudi officials stated their actions were retaliatory measures following previous Houthi drone launches. The United Nations has previously called for restraint from both parties to protect humanitarian corridors in the region.