Overview
- Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used a drone to hit a "sensitive" target at Najran Airport, but Saudi authorities have not yet confirmed the claim.
- The reported Najran strike follows Houthi statements that Saudi forces struck Sanaa airport, a sequence the Houthis cite as the cause of their recent reprisals.
- Earlier Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi Aramco facilities and helped force the Jazan production plant to shut down, reducing local oil output.
- The Houthis have imposed a ban on Saudi-linked vessels in key Red Sea routes and claim attacks on multiple tankers, raising insurance and shipping disruptions through Bab el-Mandeb.
- Riyadh has launched strikes on Houthi positions and formed a maritime protection coalition, a move that could deepen the conflict around vital Gulf chokepoints and affect civilians and trade.