Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have wounded 73 civilians, official says

Dozens of civilians were injured as a series of strikes from Iran-supporting Huthi militants in Yemen left a trail of injuries and fires at energy installations. The assaults, which targeted towns and cities across Saudi Arabia, highlighted a significant escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict that reignited in July with missile strikes on Saudi oil facilities and vessels.

At least 73 people, including women and children, were reported to have been hurt by Major General Turki Al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition. The militant group struck "civilian and economic sites" in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, all in the southwestern part of the country. The Kingdom vowed to respond firmly to the "dangerous" and "senseless" attacks, emphasizing its right to take all necessary actions to defend its sovereignty, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Saudi Arabia's regional allies expressed their disapproval, with Egypt and Jordan calling the strikes a "dangerous escalation" and a "blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty." The attacks came as Huthi forces declared a blockade of Saudi shipping through the Red Sea, exploiting the vital export route for the kingdom's crude oil. The group has also targeted Aramco refineries along the Red Sea coast.

Despite Saudi Arabia's efforts to avoid involvement in America's ongoing war with Iran, the Huthi missile and drone attacks marked a new chapter in their seven-year conflict with the kingdom.