Iran-backed Houthi forces fired ballistic missiles and drones at Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia on July 13, marking the most significant escalation in the Yemen conflict since a UN-brokered truce temporarily cooled hostilities back in 2022. Saudi air defenses intercepted the projectiles, and no casualties were reported.
The strike came in direct retaliation for Saudi-led airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, which the Houthis say targeted an Iranian Mahan Air flight carrying a Houthi delegation. The Yemeni government, for its part, claimed the Sanaa strikes were necessary to block the Iranian aircraft.
What happened and why it matters beyond the Middle East
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree publicly claimed responsibility for the Abha attack, framing it as a proportional response to the Sanaa airport bombing. The Houthis also issued a warning to commercial airlines to avoid Saudi airspace until further notice.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to address the escalation.
