Houthi Rebels Launch Hypersonic Missile Attacks on Saudi Airports Amid Rising Tensions

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Monday evening that its air defense systems intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels from southern Yemen targeting Saudi territory. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on several Saudi airports using hypersonic missiles, in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on the airport in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, which is controlled by the Iran-aligned rebels.

Reports from Yemen indicated that the missile strikes targeted King Khalid Air Base and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia-affiliated Sabreen News reported a targeted attack on Abha Airport in Saudi Arabia. The Yemeni Defense Line website, which opposes the Houthis, stated that the missiles were launched from Saada province in Yemen.

Houthi official Hazam al-Asad declared, "They have opened the gates of hell upon themselves," warning that either all infrastructure such as airlines, airports, ports, railways, oil companies, ships, shipping lines, investments, and development will be available to everyone, or none at all. The Houthis released a video titled "The Response Is Coming," highlighting targets including King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and several seaports such as Jizan, Jeddah, King Abdullah, and Ras Tanura.

Earlier on Monday, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of airstrikes in Sanaa aimed at preventing an Iranian plane from landing at the capital's airport. According to Iranian reports, the plane was forced to land instead at Hodeidah airport, also under Houthi control. Riyadh has not confirmed conducting strikes in Sanaa. The Houthi Foreign Ministry condemned the Saudi actions, stating, "The Saudi regime declared war and must bear full responsibility for it."

This escalation follows weeks of rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, including earlier threats after alleged Saudi fighter jets violated Yemeni airspace. Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on Sanaa airport as a blatant violation of international law and Yemen's sovereignty, emphasizing the presence of Iranian medical personnel and an official Yemeni delegation on the plane.

Summary: On Monday, Houthi rebels launched hypersonic missile attacks on multiple Saudi airports in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport, escalating tensions between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Saudi defenses intercepted ballistic missiles, while the Houthis threatened further retaliation, condemning Saudi actions as acts of war.

Points: - Saudi air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels targeting southern Saudi Arabia. - Houthis launched hypersonic missile attacks on key Saudi airports and seaports in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa. - Saudi strikes allegedly aimed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa, forcing it to land in Hodeidah. - Riyadh has not confirmed conducting airstrikes in Sanaa, but Houthis declared Saudi Arabia responsible for escalating conflict. - Iran condemned the Saudi attack on Sanaa airport as a violation of international law and Yemen's sovereignty. - The conflict reflects growing tensions following alleged Saudi airspace violations by Saudi jets over Yemen.

Topic: security

Entities: {"people": ["Hazam al-Asad"], "organizations": ["Saudi Ministry of Defense", "Houthi rebels", "Sabreen News", "Yemeni Defense Line", "Iranian Foreign Ministry"], "places": ["Saudi Arabia", "Yemen", "Sanaa", "Saada", "King Khalid Air Base", "Prince Sultan Air Base", "Abha Airport", "Hodeidah", "Riyadh", "Jeddah", "Dammam", "Jizan", "King Abdullah Port", "Ras Tanura"]}