Saudi Arabia, Yemen: Saudi military initiates airstrikes against Al-Houthi positions in Sana'a and elsewhere in response to cross-border attacks, March 7 /update 1

Event

The Saudi authorities issued a statement March 7 noting that it had intercepted and destroyed 10 Al-Houthi-launched weaponized drones targeting southern areas of the kingdom. The statement followed a similar report March 6 where local authorities stated that eight drones targeting Jazan and Khamis Mushait had been intercepted over the past 24 hours. The US Consulate General in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert March 7 noting that suspected attacks and explosions were reported March 7 near Jeddah and Khamis Mushait. There are unconfirmed media reports of flight disruptions at King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah March 7 following the drone intercepts.

Saudi military forces have responded with airstrikes against Al-Houthi positions in Yemen, including in Sana'a, March 7. They have indicated that the airstrikes are in response to Al-Houthi targeting of civilian areas.

Further drone and possible missile attacks into southern Saudi Arabia are likely in the coming days. The attacks or debris from the destroyed projectiles could result in casualties and damage to both military and civilian interests. Further Saudi retaliatory strikes are also likely against key targets in Yemen, including Sana'a. Cross-border attacks could result in short-term disruptions to operations at regional airports.

Context

The lack of objective sources covering the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and Al-Houthi rebels makes it challenging to independently verify reports of longer-range weaponized drone and ballistic missile attacks or intercepts inside Saudi Arabia. Each side relies heavily on propaganda and misdirection in the media to shape the narrative to its policy objectives. As is often the case when reports of an alleged drone or ballistic missile attacks or intercepts emerge, neither Riyadh nor the Al-Houthi rebels provide much, if any, verifiable proof to support their respective claims.

The Al-Houthi rebels have demonstrated an intent to target major population centers in Saudi Arabia with weaponized drones and ballistic missiles. While their precise tactical capabilities are unclear, the rebel group claims to possess several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) with ranges from 30 km (18 miles) to 1,000 km (620 miles). The group, with help from Iran, also claims to possess several indigenously produced drones with ranges from 15 km (9 miles) to 500 km (310 miles). Nevertheless, the Saudi military employs a wide array of air defense platforms and appears to have significantly mitigated the drone and ballistic missile threat in its southern border provinces; however, falling debris post-intercept remains a potentially lethal hazard.

Previous Al-Houthi cross-border attacks have resulted in civilian casualties; however, most are due to shorter-range mortar and rocket attacks that concentrate near areas within 10 km (6 miles) of the Saudi-Yemeni border.

Advice

If officials report incoming artillery fire or drone activity in the general vicinity, stay indoors away from windows and exterior walls; if possible, move to a ground floor or basement. Confirm that a thorough communication plan exists to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in Saudi Arabia's border provinces and in Sana'a, Yemen. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Reconfirm all flight services before departure. Plan for short-notice flight delays or cancellations.