A new escalation occurred on Monday, 13 July, in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, following air strikes on a runway at Sanaa International Airport.
According to Reuters, the Houthis, who control northern Yemen, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out the strikes.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree described the attacks as a "blatant aggression" and announced that the group had retaliated by targeting Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
"In response to this criminal Saudi aggression, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a significant military operation targeting Abha International Airport using a number of ballistic missiles and drones. The operation achieved its objectives, by the grace of God," he said.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said the missiles were intercepted.
Responsibility for the strike on Sanaa airport was claimed by Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is heavily backed by Riyadh.
The government's Ministry of Defence said the attack was intended to prevent the landing of an Iranian aircraft, arguing that such a flight would have violated Yemen's sovereignty.
A military spokesperson later stated that the aircraft ultimately landed at Hodeidah Airport, which is under Houthi control.
Video broadcast by Al Masirah TV appeared to show an aircraft belonging to Iranian airline Mahan Air landing at the airport on Monday.
Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the location and date of the footage.
