Houthis claim successful strike on sensitive Saudi target at Najran airport

Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Tuesday they struck a "sensitive target" at Najran airport in Saudi Arabia using a drone, in response to airspace violations in Saada and Hajjah provinces. They warned that any violation would draw a response and punishment. Tensions escalated after the Houthis accused Riyadh of attacking Sanaa airport.

Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Tuesday they had succeeded in striking a "sensitive target" at Najran airport in Saudi Arabia using a drone. According to them, the attack was in response to violations of airspace in Saada and Hajjah provinces by Saudi unmanned aerial vehicles. They added that "any violation of our airspace will not pass without a response and punishment." Tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated last month after the Houthis accused Riyadh of attacking Sanaa airport and attempting to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. Following the incident, the Houthis announced that the "de-escalation phase" had ended, threatened to attack targets in Saudi Arabia, and declared that any harm to Yemen would be met with strikes on Saudi targets. The article notes that the Houthis have demonstrated an ability to turn local power into regional leverage, and although they cannot win a conventional war, they can disrupt airports, threaten energy facilities, raise maritime insurance costs, and affect traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea. Their central strength lies in their ability to cause damage disproportionate to their size.