Fresh Houthi attacks injure 13 civilians in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been hit by renewed Houthi attacks, resulting in the injury of 13 civilians, according to officials. The Iran-backed militia carried out drone and missile assaults on Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif in southern Saudi Arabia, as reported by Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis.

Civil defense agencies in Saudi Arabia issued fresh warnings about potential threats in Abha, Khamis Mushait, the coastal city of Jeddah on the Red Sea, and al-Ula in the north of the country. The kingdom endured one of its "most difficult nights," with Houthi television channel Al-Masirah reporting that their "major operation" extended deep into neighboring Saudi Arabia, causing "growing panic."

Emergency alerts were activated in Makkah, the holy Muslim city, and Jeddah, the country's primary commercial hub, but were later lifted. This marks the first time an alert has been issued in Makkah since the escalation with the Houthi militia, as it had not been targeted in previous years. The UK is providing air defense to Saudi Arabia through its strategic partnership, but has not disclosed whether it is assisting counter-attacks against the Houthis.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly considering requests for military support from Riyadh to counter Houthi rebels in Yemen.