Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia wounded 13 civilians and prompted authorities to issue warning alerts for several cities, Saudi authorities said Tuesday, as the Iran-backed group escalated attacks on the kingdom.
The Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilian areas in Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Monday, according to Arab News.
The strikes resulted in “minor to moderate injuries to 13 civilians and damage to seven houses and two vehicles,” said Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, in a statement issued on social media early on Tuesday.
Saudi authorities issued warning alerts Tuesday morning for several cities urging residents to move to safe locations and follow instructions from officials.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued alerts for several cities in the west and south of the country, including Abha, Jeddah, Jazan, Taif, Yanbu and AlUla.
The latest strikes come amid a general uptick in violence in Yemen, where Houthi forces have intensified operations against Saudi targets and advanced along the country’s western Red Sea coast. The resumption of fighting has raised concerns about the safety of key regional shipping lanes, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
