Saudi Arabia warns it will react ‘firmly’ to Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia issued a stern warning on Tuesday that it would respond firmly to Yemen's Houthi rebels after a spate of attacks using ballistic missiles and drones injured 13 civilians in the kingdom's south. The attacks have marked a resurgence in the fighting between the Houthi fighters, who are backed by Iran, and Saudi-backed government forces since the civil war reignited in July.

With the Houthi group recently seizing control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and Bab al-Mandab Strait, they have crippled the Saudi oil infrastructure, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel. On Monday, a Houthi strike in western Yemen killed eight government soldiers, according to two military sources. The group claimed a large-scale attack against the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia, using dozens of missiles and drones, which left fires burning for a long time.

In response, Riyadh launched over 50 strikes against the Houthi targets in Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, according to the coalition. The coalition vowed to deal with the attacks firmly to protect the kingdom's sovereignty and deter any further hostile actions. The Houthis' politburo leader, Hazem al-Assad, vowed to escalate the conflict as long as Saudi Arabia continues its aggression against their people.