Houthis say they hit Saudi military sites in Khamis Mushait

The Yemen‑based Houthis announced on Monday that they fired dozens of drones and ballistic missiles at military installations in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. The group said the operation targeted fighter‑jet hangars, radar stations, runways and ammunition depots at the King Khalid Air Base.

What the group says it did

Spokesman Yahya Saree released a statement claiming the strike was a retaliation for recent Saudi air raids on Yemeni territory. He added that the attack was part of a "large‑scale military operation" aimed at degrading Saudi air‑defence capabilities.

"The Yemeni armed forces conducted a large‑scale military operation targeting military installations and infrastructure, including fighter jet hangars, radars, runways, ammunition depots, and other targets located at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait," Saree said.

Saudi Civil Defence later issued an all‑clear after briefly raising alerts for the region.

Why it matters

Saudi Arabia’s air bases protect the kingdom’s vast oil‑export infrastructure, including the East‑West pipeline that moves crude to Red Sea ports. Disruption to air‑defence capabilities could make Saudi oil shipments more vulnerable to future attacks, potentially tightening global supply and nudging prices higher.

What could happen next

Riyadh is likely to bolster its air‑defence posture and may seek additional support from the United States and regional allies. The escalation could also prompt diplomatic talks aimed at curbing Houthi strikes, though Tehran’s denial of direct involvement suggests a complex proxy dynamic will persist.