RIYADH, Sep 10 (Alliance News): Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense lifted an alert in the southern city of Khamis Mushait on Wednesday, a day after Houthi attacks on the city and three nearby areas wounded 73 people and set oil installations ablaze.
The Houthis launched attacks on an airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby cities on Tuesday, in one of the largest attacks on Saudi territory since the US-Israeli war against Iran began in February.
Saudi authorities did not provide details about the reasons for Wednesday’s alert before it was lifted.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have increased in recent months, raising concerns about a return to wider conflict after a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted years of fighting.
Saudi Arabia leads an Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government based in the south. The government was driven from the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis 12 years ago.
The conflict has increasingly become part of the wider regional confrontation, with the Houthis closely aligned with Iran, while Saudi Arabia remains a US ally.
The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in July, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to strike what it described as Houthi military facilities in Yemen.
In recent days, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched a multi-pronged offensive against Houthi-held areas after the group attempted to advance on government positions.
The Yemeni government says its objective is to recapture all territory held by the Houthis.
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, citing the group’s health ministry, reported that at least 21 people had been killed in Saudi strikes on Yemen’s Al Jawf over the previous two days. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed or announced strikes in the area.
Saudi Arabia has described the Houthi attacks as a dangerous escalation, while the Saudi-led coalition has warned that it will take measures to deter further attacks.
The Houthis, meanwhile, say their attacks are a response to Saudi military escalation in Yemen.
