Houthis say air strikes hit Yemen after Saudi Arabia vows ‘firm’ response

Saudi-led coalition promises to respond ‘firmly’ to Houthi strikes on urban areas in Saudi Arabia.Yemen’s Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of launching dozens of air attacks across Yemen, after the Saudi-led coalition promised to respond “firmly” to missile and drone attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis that wounded 13 civilians across three cities in the kingdom.The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said early on Tuesday that Houthi attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif caused minor to moderate injuries, damaging seven homes and two vehicles.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why the Houthi advance towards Yemen’s Marib, Taiz matterslist 2 of 3Inside the Houthis’ expanding war economy in Yemenlist 3 of 3Why Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline matters for global oilend of list“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will deal with these attacks responsibly and firmly to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom,” said coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki.Later on Tuesday, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (supporters of God), said Saudi Arabia launched 54 air raids across the governorates of Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib and Hajjah in the past 24 hours.The group said Saudi air strikes hit the government complex in Khadir district, Taiz governorate, causing injuries.Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets operating from Saudi airbases in Khamis Mushait and Taif were used in the strikes and threatened retaliation.Houthi-aligned media reported that the Saudi attacks killed three civilians, including two children, and injured at least two others in Taiz province’s Dhubab and Maqbanah districts.Saudi Arabia has not commented publicly on the Houthi claims. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.The attacks come after the Iran-aligned group said on Monday that it fired dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, targeting hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition depots, in retaliation for Saudi air raids across Yemen.