Saudi-led coalition forces launched a wide-scale military operation against Houthi fighters in Yemen, announcing the destruction of 136 military targets. This escalation follows a series of lethal Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, including Riyadh’s King Khalid International, which resulted in multiple casualties and significant regional security concerns this week.
Coalition Offensive and Destruction of 136 Military Targets
The military coalition supporting the Yemeni government announced a broad campaign targeting Houthi capabilities across areas under the group’s control. According to the coalition’s official spokesperson, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, the operation successfully destroyed 136 military targets. The coalition stated that its forces are actively working to dismantle the Houthi ballistic missile network while providing continuous air support to Yemeni ground units operating in various combat theaters. Additional preliminary field reports indicated that the wider actions neutralized more than 1,400 militia members among the killed, wounded, and captured.
This military push is part of the Fajr al-Yemen (Dawn of Yemen) operation, which began on October 5, 2026. Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced the offensive to restore state institutions, liberate the capital city of Sanaa, and end the Houthi coup. The mission aims to reclaim state institutions and challenge Houthi control, which has intensified since the group expanded its reach in September 2014, followed by the coalition’s intervention in March 2015. The coalition’s recent strikes have focused on dismantling rocket launch infrastructure, including the destruction of three missile launch platforms that officials described as a threat to regional security
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Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports and Infrastructure
The current military escalation was triggered by a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi territory. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other facilities resulted in the death of three citizens and injuries to numerous others. The attacks, which occurred throughout the week, also struck airports in Abha, Jazan, and Najran.
In the capital, residents reported hearing explosions on Thursday as Saudi air defenses worked to intercept incoming threats. Saudi defense officials confirmed the interception of two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh. Following the intercepts, debris fell in the city, causing material damage to a kindergarten and a medical clinic, as reported by local civil defense authorities.
Houthi Spokesperson Warns Saudi Oil Facilities and Airports
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, has issued a series of warnings to staff and engineers working at Saudi oil facilities, designating those sites as potential targets for future operations. Saree also warned international air navigation companies to avoid Saudi airports, claiming that the group has established a new bank of targets within the kingdom in retaliation for the coalition’s ongoing military campaign.
The international community has reacted to the surge in violence. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, condemned the attack on King Khalid International Airport, calling for serious international action to deter Houthi strikes on civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, the coalition has maintained a firm stance.
“The Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian objects will be met with firmness.”
Turki Al-Maliki, Coalition Spokesperson
As of Saturday, ground battles continue near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key area of focus for both sides. The conflict, which has seen a marked increase in intensity since July, remains a fluid situation with both the coalition and Houthi forces signaling a willingness to continue their respective operations.
