Houthi Attack in Saudi Arabia’s Najran Wounds 11 Civilians as Riyadh Warns of Wider Regional Threat

Saudi military officials have confirmed that 11 civilians including 1 child aged four were injured after a Yemeni Houthi attack on the southern Saudi province of Asir. The attack in the Najran province follows reports of increased tension in the area and Riyadh’s warnings that more might occur in the future.

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Injured 11 Civilians in Najran

Major General Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman of the Saudi Arabia led coalition supporting the internationally recognised government in Yemen, added that seven people in Saudi Arabia and one Egyptian and one Yemeni national were injured.

The Saudi official says the four-year-old boy was burned to second degree. After the attack the victims were brought to medical attention. Saudi officials blasted the Houthis for shooting indiscriminately at civilians, which is against international humanitarian law.

Attack Comes Amid Wider Houthi Escalation

The hijacking in Najran is a part of a series of steps that has seen fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalate. The Houthis have also been responsible for an attack on Saudi military, infrastructure and shipping interests, Reuters reported earlier in the week, marking another attack on Najran airport.

The Houthis have also stepped up their attacks on targets within Yemen. Shots were fired at military camps in Marib and Hadramout, killing at least 30 Yemeni government troops, according to some reports.

Riyadh Warns of Possible Coordinated Attacks

Saudi Arabia is also getting intelligence of “coordinated (attacks)” between the Houthis and Iranian affiliated Iraqi militias,” said a Saudi government source to Reuters.

Their civilian and economic targets, including energy infrastructure, ports and airports, might be at risk, the official said. Dismantling reports by the Saudi authorities indicate that drones and missiles may be moving that suggest coordination would take place.

Saudi Arabia Strengthens Security Partnerships

The alerts have spurred Riyadh to step up its cooperation with regional partners. It was believed that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan would sign a defence deal, and also that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was going to visit Saudi Arabia, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was to visit.

Meanwhile, the Saudi official said that Riyadh has continued to encourage de-escalation and dialogue regarding the broader conflict with Iran. The official said it was suggested that the “threats” reported may have been a way to make diplomacy more difficult.

What Happens Next?

The Najran attack serves as an example of a conflict that involves several nations, and is becoming more and more difficult to contain. The rest of the kingdom is also at risk, as is energy supplies and seagoing capability, meaning that further escalation may impact more than just Saudi-Yemeni relations.

The Saudi coalition’s allegations of the Najran attack are still without any immediate comments from either the Houthis or Iran.

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