Saudi Arabia: Houthis claim unconfirmed attack on Najran Airport May 23 /update 3

Event

Houthi militants claimed responsibility for an unconfirmed drone attack on Najran Regional Airport (EAM) on Thursday, May 23. Saudi media did not immediately confirm the Thursday attack which, if confirmed, would reportedly mark the third attempted Houthi attack on Najran over the past week.

Similar Houthi militant attacks targeting Najran are possible over the coming days.

Context

Tensions have increased between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in recent days. Most recently, Houthi militants claimed an explosive drone attack targeting Saudi forces in Najran on May 22 and an explosives-laden drone attack on May 21, which the rebels assert destroyed an arms depot at EAM; Saudi officials issued a contradictory statement saying that the May 21 attack targeted a civilian site.

Reports estimate that Houthi militants have fired over 200 missiles at Saudi Arabia since 2015, when Saudi Arabia began backing the Yemeni government against Houthi separatists in the Yemeni Civil War. Southern Saudi Arabia is a frequent target of Houthi missile attacks, and Riyadh has also seen several missile attacks in the last several months; however, they rarely result in many damages or casualties.

Advice

Individuals in Najran are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities or their home governments.