Violence between Iran-aligned Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia intensified Sunday as the two sides targeted one another’s airports. The escalation followed a Houthi attack on Riyadh the previous day that killed 13 people, including an American citizen.
The Houthis launched additional missiles toward King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, triggering a fire at a passenger terminal, according to the Saudi-led coalition overseeing military operations in Yemen, where the rebels are based.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said one projectile struck Terminal 4, while a separate cruise missile was intercepted near the airport.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for Saturday’s deadly airport strike, describing the latest attacks as part of a three-stage campaign against the major transportation hub. The group said it had carried out four bombardments in a 24-hour period. Houthi forces also targeted the airport Thursday, an attack that reportedly killed three people.
In a statement, the group warned international airlines, companies, personnel and travelers against using Saudi airports, calling them unsafe. The Houthis said flights should continue only to airports and through airspace serving the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed that civilians were hurt in Sunday’s missile attack, but did not release details about the number of injured people or the extent of the damage.
An Indian citizen wounded in Saturday’s strike died Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said, raising the death toll from the attack to 13.
RELATED: NJ Transit Commuters Brace for Another Month of Train Disruptions
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks on Riyadh were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on rebel-held areas of Yemen, including an earlier strike on the airport in the capital, Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia carried out another strike on Sanaa International Airport on Sunday. Houthi officials said Saudi-backed forces had conducted 124 airstrikes across Yemen during the weekend.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage at Sanaa airport, according to the state-run Saba News Agency.
The latest strike followed a pledge from the Saudi-led coalition to respond forcefully to what it called a “terrorist” Houthi attack in Riyadh. That assault killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others.
The weekend exchange marked a sharp escalation in the renewed civil war between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
President Trump has indicated that the United States, which is engaged in conflict with Iran, could join Saudi Arabia in retaliatory military operations against the Houthis.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged Trump to take action against the rebel group, despite the Houthis having reached a cease-fire agreement with the United States last year.
