The Yemeni Houthi movement alleges that Saudi Arabia executed 94 air raids across Yemen within a 24-hour window. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarie made the assertion, cited in a Friday report by Ynet.
According to the claims, these operations involved fighter aircraft and missile launches, striking civilian infrastructure across six governorates: Sana’a, Saada, Taiz, Hajjah, Amran, and Al Bayda.
Sarie stated the bombardment resulted in civilian casualties and injuries, according to the report.
Additionally, Sarie noted that cumulative Saudi airstrike totals against Yemen since the onset of the escalation have climbed to 1,350.
Conversely, the Saudi-led coalition engaged in combat against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels stated on Friday that it had successfully intercepted and neutralized three ballistic missiles fired by the group toward the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, Reuters reported.
Tensions Remain High Between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
A military source based in Sana’a told the Lebanese publication Al Akhbar on Monday that the Houthis had vowed to strike bridges inside Saudi Arabia in retaliation for airstrikes the group attributes to the Saudi military.
According to the source, Saudi Arabian airstrikes have targeted Yemeni bridges and other civilian infrastructure while claiming they were missile launch platforms.
“Civilian bridges are not used for military purposes,” the source said, calling the Saudi practice “utter bankruptcy.”
Riyadh Plans New Offensive Against Houthi Forces
Reuters also reported Friday that Saudi Arabia is preparing an offensive against the Houthis aimed at breaking the group’s grip on the coast and securing Red Sea shipping routes.
According to six people familiar with the preparations, the operation is expected to begin in the coming weeks. It would be led on the ground by Yemeni forces overseen by Riyadh and supported by Saudi airstrikes.
The objective of the offensive is to reverse gains made by the Houthis last month, when they seized control of parts of the coast, particularly around the Bab al Mandab Strait, according to the report.
Saudi officials are considering two possible options for the assault, according to Gulf and Yemeni officials. One would involve a narrowly focused attack around Bab al Mandab, while the other would involve a broader offensive with synchronized attacks on multiple fronts across Yemen, including in Al Bayda, Marib, Taiz, and Al Jawf.
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized in the offensive, depending on the scale, the officials all said.
Spokespeople for the Saudi and Yemeni governments, the Houthi group and the US military didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment about the Saudi plans.
Bab al-Mandab is the southern exit passage of the Red Sea, a key shipping route between the Mediterranean and Asia that’s assumed even more importance this year as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by the Iran conflict.
Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.
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