Houthi forces claim six attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities
Iran-backed Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for six attacks on airports and oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, despite recent diplomatic talks between Tehran and regional allies.
The announcement comes despite talks earlier this week between Iran and the Mecca pact countries in Tehran. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the attacks targeted vital commercial and military infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, from its east and west coasts to Riyadh and the southern region of Najran.
According to Saree's statement, the Houthis targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery with a ballistic missile, an Aramco facility in Abqaiq with a missile, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with multiple missiles, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam with a drone, the Rabigh oil refinery with a ballistic missile and a Saudi military headquarters in Najran.
Tehran talks
The ramped-up combat comes despite the week's high-level diplomacy aimed at reducing regional tensions. After Iran and Mecca defence alliance members Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan concluded their meeting in Tehran on Monday, participants agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation between the four regional countries.
The meeting, hosted by Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei and attended by Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, focused on 'peace and security in the region'.
Saudi response
The Saudi foreign ministry stressed 'the importance of opening channels of negotiation to prevent a return to military escalation' following the meeting. Saudi authorities reported intercepting two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards the capital, with coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirming the interceptions.
Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence said shrapnel from the interception wounded one Saudi citizen in Riyadh and damaged a house and a vehicle. Warning alerts on incoming potential threats had been issued in Riyadh and al-Kharj governorates and in Najran city before those interceptions were announced.
Earlier on Thursday, the internationally recognised Yemeni government called on the UN Security Council to take 'deterrent and punitive measures' to stop Houthi attacks on Aden International Airport. There was no independent corroboration of the Houthis' claims.
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