Houthis claim to have attacked Saudi airport, military bases with missiles

By Mohammed Al Ragawi and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Yemen's Houthi group claimed Sunday that it launched three operations using dozens of ballistic missiles against Saudi Arabia's main airport in Riyadh and two military bases, as the airport partially resumed flights following a two-week suspension.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the first operation targeted King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, claiming it "achieved its objective."

The second operation targeted aircraft parking areas, ammunition depots, drone control centers and other facilities at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia, he said.

Saree claimed a third operation struck a Border Guard naval base in Jizan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, causing deaths and injuries, but provided no casualty figures or further details.

He warned airlines, airport employees and passengers against using King Khalid International Airport, claiming it was "unsafe," and said the group would continue launching attacks deep inside Saudi territory.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the Houthi claims.

The announcement coincided with the partial resumption of flights at King Khalid International Airport on Sunday after operations had been suspended for about two weeks following an earlier Houthi attack.

Saudi state broadcaster AlEkhbariya said domestic flights resumed at Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 began handling international services operated by national carriers.

Saudi authorities have not announced a full resumption of airport operations.

Rania R.a. Abushamala