AiBotRIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen escalated further on Tuesday as the Arab state launched two drone strikes targeting the same al-Houthi positions in the Ghumar district of the Sa’da region, which has been under the control of the Houthi Ansarullah group in northern Yemen.
The retaliatory strikes came two days after the Houthi rebels launched a series of drone attacks against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which were repelled by the Saudi military. The latest strikes marked the beginning of a new wave of violence between the two warring parties, which has been ongoing for years.
According to sources close to the Saudi military, the drone strikes were carried out using sophisticated US-made drones, known as the MQ-9 Reaper, which are capable of delivering high-precision strikes against ground targets. The drones targeted key Houthi positions in the Ghumar district, where the Ansarullah group has a strong presence.
“It was a deliberate and premeditated strike aimed at destroying the Houthi’s ability to launch future attacks against Saudi Arabia,” said a senior military official, who requested anonymity. “We have been monitoring their movements and gathering intelligence on their position, and we took decisive action to neutralize the threat.”
The Houthi rebels have been fighting a civil war against the internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, since 2015. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Ansarullah group, which is also known as the Houthis, has been using drones to strike oil facilities and other strategic targets in Saudi Arabia in recent months, sparking fears of a widening conflict. The latest strikes have raised concerns among regional and international powers that the conflict may escalate further, putting regional stability at risk.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Defense condemned the Houthi attacks as “cowardly” and “terrorist” in nature, vowing to take all necessary measures to protect its national security and interests. The United States, a key ally of Saudi Arabia, also condemned the Houthi attacks and expressed support for the Saudi military’s right to defend its territory.
The conflict in Yemen remains a complex and volatile issue, with no clear end in sight. The latest drone strikes by Saudi Arabia may signal the beginning of a new phase in the conflict, which could have far-reaching consequences for regional and global stability.