Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabian territory, prompting a military response from the Saudi-led coalition. The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure and pilgrims during the Umrah pilgrimage, according to Saudi officials. The Houthi attacks were intercepted by Saudi air defenses, with debris from the missiles injuring four people in Riyadh.
A Saudi energy ministry official confirmed that an Aramco administrative building in Dhahran was hit by a missile. The attack occurred as the Saudi-led coalition continued strikes on Houthi "vital assets" in Yemen. The Houthi group, which controls parts of Yemen, has been accused of targeting Saudi civilians and religious sites.
The Saudi religious affairs minister condemned the attacks, stating that any strike on Saudi Arabia is an attack on Pakistan due to defense agreements between the two nations. The minister made the remarks during a press conference in Islamabad. The Houthi attacks have intensified in recent weeks, with both sides exchanging fire across the border.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. The Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states, has been fighting the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. The ongoing violence has led to widespread destruction and displacement.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about regional stability. The Saudi military has increased its air defense capabilities in response to the attacks. The conflict remains a key point of tension in the Middle East, with international efforts to broker a ceasefire ongoing but stalled.
