Saudi jets destroy rebel missile site in strike on Yemen capital

Saudi Arabia’s air force has struck ballistic missile sites in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebel group warned civilians to stay away from the attack sites.

The coalition said it had taken measures to spare civilians.

The “secret positions” had used hospitals, organisations and civilians as human shields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It said the air strikes had been carried out against “legitimate military targets” in Sanaa. A missile site of “high value” had been destroyed.

Residents told Reuters they heard large explosions across the city and that at least two military targets had been struck. The Houthis acknowledged that sites had been struck in the northern part of Sanaa.

The strikes happened after the Houthis increased attacks using drones and ballistic missiles aimed at population centres and vital energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Several such attacks were launched at the weekend.

The coalition said its raids had destroyed a ballistic missile target.

Saudi Arabia’s air force is supporting forces loyal to the internationally recognised Yemeni government as fighting intensifies on several fronts in the conflict.

On Sunday, a major offensive by government-aligned forces, including Al Amalika brigades, cut off Houthi supply lines between Taez, Yemen’s third-largest city, and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

Houthi forces suffered major losses in the large-scale counter attack, having made gains in the oil-rich northern city of Marib during one of the war’s biggest escalations in February.

The war in Yemen is now entering its seventh year, despite repeated attempts to reach a negotiated settlement. Vital ports including Hodeidah remain under Houthi control, pushing the country deeper into crisis.

The UN estimates that about 2.3 million children are suffering from malnutrition, while as many as half of the population lacks access to clean drinking water.