Houthis Strike Saudi Air Base, Seize Red Sea Islands

Yemeni Houthi rebels have launched a large-scale drone and ballistic missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid Air Base, prompting temporary civilian alerts in southern Saudi cities. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the strike achieved “direct hits and caused significant damage” to hangars and radar systems in retaliation for hundreds of recent Saudi airstrikes. He warned that the group will continue targeting Saudi forces “until the attacks cease and the blockade on Yemen is lifted.” Concurrently, the Iranian-backed rebels have expanded their regional footprint by taking control of the strategic Hanish Islands in the Red Sea following the withdrawal of pro-government troops.