Apparent Houthi attacks trigger alerts in 6 Saudi cities; Riyadh vows response

Saudi Arabia threatened a "firm" response to Yemen's Houthis following a string of ballistic missile and drone assaults which injured 13 civilians in the nation's south. The Houthis, a pro-Iranian rebel group, have been locked in renewed combat with Saudi-backed forces since the civil war flared up in July. The group seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and Bab al-Mandab Strait last week, disrupting US-Iran trade and pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel.

On Monday, a Houthi strike in western Yemen killed eight government soldiers, according to military sources. The Houthis claimed a new large-scale attack against the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia, with residents reporting intense blasts and prolonged fires. Saudi Arabia retaliated with more than 50 strikes, according to the Houthis.

The Saudi-led coalition vowed to act firmly to safeguard the kingdom's sovereignty and deter future hostile actions. The Houthis vowed to escalate their response as long as Saudi Arabia continues its aggression. In the early hours of Tuesday, Saudi civil defense issued air-raid alerts in six regions, which were later lifted. The conflict in Yemen continues as the broader regional war remains stagnant.

US President Donald Trump expressed openness to negotiations with Iran, while Iran's top security chief stated there would be no talks until Iran's demands are met. A meeting between Gulf states and Iran over Hormuz's future was postponed, with Tehran accusing Riyadh of using Yemen as a pretext to delay the talks.