The "Coalition" announces the launch of a "broad" operation against the Houthis... and clarifies its "objectives"

The "Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen" coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, announced on Friday the implementation of a "large-scale operation" targeting the elements and capabilities of the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter): “We are working to dismantle and destroy the ballistic missile network of the terrorist Houthi militia, and we have destroyed 136 military targets in areas under its control,” and he added: “We provide air support to Yemeni armed forces units 24 hours a day.”

The statements came hours after the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia announced, on Friday, that two attacks had occurred on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, on Thursday. The first targeted its facilities and the second a Saudi Airlines plane, resulting in the death of 3 citizens and a number of injuries. On Thursday, the Houthis announced a new wave of attacks targeting two civilian airports - Riyadh Airport and Najran Airport, near the southern border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen - in addition to the King Khalid Air Base of the Saudi Air Force.

The group claimed that the attacks were carried out using cruise and ballistic missiles, and that they caused damage and disrupted air traffic.