Yemen’s Houthi rebel group launched a missile attack on Saudi Arabia, claiming it was in retaliation for an alleged Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport. The attack, which targeted Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s southern highlands, marked the end of a four-year informal truce between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition said on social media that its forces intercepted and destroyed the missiles midair.

The Houthis described the strike as a response to what they called “naked aggression” by Saudi Arabia, saying it ended a period of de-escalation. The group had previously accused Riyadh of bombing Sanaa airport. The last major Houthi attack on Saudi energy infrastructure occurred in March 2022, after which the informal ceasefire took effect. The renewed hostilities now raise the risk of conflict along Saudi Arabia’s southern border.

Analysts noted that a major confrontation with the Houthis could threaten Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea, as the group has previously targeted shipping routes there. Saudi authorities have not yet commented on the incident.