Saudi Arabia: Houthi rocket lands in Taif July 27

Event

Saudi defense officials announced on Friday, July 28, that Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched a rocket into Saudi Arabia on Thursday, July 27. The rocket landed in the Wasaliyah area of Taif. Saudi officials reported the intended target was the holy city of Mecca, while the Houthis announced that the target was King Fahd Air Base in Taif. No fatalities were reported from the attack.

Context

Saudi Arabia is heavily involved in Yemen's complex and deadly conflict. Hostilities have been ongoing since Houthi rebels started a conflict with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. Two rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to resolve the conflict. Approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million are displaced. The devastating war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which has affected approximately 350,000 people to date.

Additionally, Houthi rebels launched a rocket from Sa'ada, Yemen, into Saudi Arabia on Saturday, July 22. The rocket traveled 930 km (580 mi) into Saudi territory before landing at an unidentified location. The intended target was reportedly an oil facility near Yanbu. No fatalities were reported from the rocket.

Advice

Given the prevailing terrorist risk in Saudi Arabia, those present in the country are advised to exercise caution at all times, avoid public places lacking adequate security measures or locations deemed particularly likely to be targeted in the event of an attack (e.g. official buildings, military zones, etc.), and report all suspicious objects or behavior to authorities.