RIYADH — Saudi Arabia warns of harsh response to Houthi rebel attacks

RIYADH, Sept. 15 /ATSH-AFP/ — Saudi Arabia pledged on Tuesday to respond “with determination” to Houthi rebel attacks from Yemen, after ballistic missile and drone strikes injured 13 people on Saudi territory.

The Riyadh-led coalition confirmed that the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif were hit during Monday’s attacks.

According to Saudi authorities, seven homes and two vehicles were also damaged in addition to the injuries.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have resumed fighting with Saudi-backed government forces since the escalation of Yemen’s civil war in July.

The group has also declared a naval blockade against Riyadh and begun striking ships in the Red Sea.

The rebels claim to have taken control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic chokepoint for international shipping.

The area has become even more important since the wider war between the United States and Iran disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis have also attacked Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline infrastructure — the world’s largest exporter of crude oil.

According to reports, these developments have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.

The Saudi coalition said it would take “all necessary operational measures” to protect the country’s sovereignty and deter what it described as a hostile and extremist approach.

The Houthis, for their part, claimed that Saudi Arabia had carried out more than 50 airstrikes in areas under their control.

The escalation of fighting in Yemen comes at a time of high tension across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, a proposed meeting between Gulf states and Iran on the future of the Strait of Hormuz was postponed. The United Nations announced that about 93,864 people have been forced to flee their homes because of renewed fighting in Yemen.