Houthis Report Deadly Saudi Airstrikes as Kingdom Issues Mass Alerts

Houthis Report Deadly Saudi Airstrikes as Kingdom Issues Mass Alerts The two sides traded accusations of attacks as fighting inside Yemen remains fierce. The escalating conflict threatens to further destabilise the Middle East. The Houthi movement announced on Tuesday that a wave of Saudi‑backed coalition airstrikes had hit residential districts in the southern port city of Aden, killing at least 27 civilians and wounding dozens more..

The statement, released on the group’s official Twitter account, included photographs of collapsed houses and ambulances converging on the rubble. In a separate communique, the Yemeni health ministry, which operates under Houthi control in the south, confirmed the death toll and urged the United Nations to intervene urgently to protect non‑combatants. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense rejected the accusations as “fabricated propaganda” and said the strikes were aimed at “militant installations” belonging to the Iran‑aligned rebels..

In a televised briefing, the Saudi chief of staff, Lieutenant General Ahmed Al‑Fahad, insisted that the coalition’s operations complied with international humanitarian law and that any civilian casualties were the tragic result of “enemy forces using civilian areas as shields.” He warned that the kingdom would intensify its campaign if the Houthis continued to launch cross‑border missile attacks. The latest exchange of accusations comes after a series of missile launches from Houthi‑controlled territories that targeted Saudi oil facilities in the Red Sea corridor earlier this month. Saudi officials said the strikes temporarily disrupted export flows, prompting the kingdom to launch a “precision campaign” to neutralise the launch sites..

Analysts at the Gulf Research Center note that the pattern of retaliation suggests a dangerous escalation, with each side seeking to demonstrate resolve while risking further civilian harm. In response to the Aden bombings, the Saudi civil defence authority issued a nationwide alert, urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid non‑essential travel. Text messages, radio broadcasts and mobile app notifications were sent to millions, marking one of the most extensive public warning operations in the kingdom’s recent history..

The alert also warned of “possible secondary attacks” on critical infrastructure, prompting schools and businesses in major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah to implement lockdown procedures. Humanitarian organisations on the ground have warned that the escalating air campaign could jeopardise aid deliveries to already‑starved populations. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported that its convoys to the port of Mokha had been delayed after a coalition drone reportedly flew low over the area, causing the driver to abort the mission..

The WFP’s regional director, Anna Harrington, appealed to both parties to respect “humanitarian corridors” and stressed that any further disruption would push millions closer to famine. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session on Wednesday to discuss the deteriorating security situation. While the United States and United Kingdom called for an immediate cease‑fire, Russia and China abstained, citing the need for “balanced dialogue” with all regional actors..

The meeting concluded without a binding resolution, but a statement was issued urging “all parties to refrain from actions that endanger civilians and to return to the Stockholm peace talks.” Stockholm, where indirect negotiations between Saudi officials and Houthi representatives have been taking place since early 2024, now faces a test of its credibility. A senior Saudi envoy, Prince Faisal bin Salman, told reporters that “the Kingdom remains committed to a political solution, but we cannot allow attacks on our cities and citizens.” The Houthi leadership, represented by spokesperson Abdul‑Qadir al‑Mahdi, countered that the group would “continue to resist occupation and defend Yemen’s sovereignty” until “foreign aggression ceases.” Experts warn that the tit‑for‑tat pattern could draw in regional rivals, further complicating an already volatile landscape. Leila Hassan, a Middle East security scholar at the London School of Economics, warned that “Iran’s support for the Houthis and the United States’ backing of the Saudi coalition create a proxy battlefield that can spill over into the Red Sea shipping lanes, threatening global energy markets.” She added that any miscalculation could trigger a broader confrontation involving Israel, the United Arab Emirates and potentially even European naval forces..

In the economic sphere, the attacks have already rattled markets. The price of Brent crude rose by 2.3 % following reports of the Aden strikes, while the Saudi stock index tumbled as investors braced for heightened instability. The World Bank’s latest country risk assessment for Yemen upgraded the nation’s “high‑risk” rating, citing “escalating hostilities and diminishing prospects for a negotiated settlement.” The report warned that further deterioration could undermine reconstruction funds pledged at the 2023 Riyadh conference..

Local Yemeni civilians, caught between the two militaries, continue to voice fear and frustration. In a makeshift clinic outside Aden’s old town, 45‑year‑old teacher Aisha Al‑Mansur described the night of the airstrike: “The sound was like thunder; the walls fell around us, and I saw my neighbour’s child disappear under the debris.” She added that aid agencies have become “the only lifeline” for families who have lost homes and loved ones. Her account mirrors dozens of similar testimonies collected by the International Committee of the Red Cross..

International reaction has been mixed. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, condemned the “unacceptable loss of civilian life” and called for an immediate humanitarian pause. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement accusing Saudi Arabia of “war crimes” and pledged “political and material support” to the Houthi forces.