Saudi Arabia: Al-Houthi military projectile injures five civilians in Jazan Province, March 2

Event

The Saudi Civil Defense Directorate reported on March 2 that an unspecified projectile allegedly originating from northern Yemen had impacted inside one of the border villages in Jazan Province, injuring five civilians. The projectile reportedly landed in a public street; several nearby buildings and vehicles were damaged by flying shrapnel. Saudi authorities have attributed the attack to Yemen's Al-Houthi rebels.

Local authorities will likely maintain increased security until it becomes clear that no further launches are imminent.

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, but their precise tactical capabilities are unclear. 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, most of which 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 incoming artillery fire or drone activity is reported in the general vicinity, stay indoors away from windows and exterior walls, and, 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.