Houthis Tried to Attack Saudi Arabia 1,031 Times Using Ballistic Missiles, Armed Drones

Government forces fire towards Houthi fighters during clashes northwest of Marib in central Yemen. (AFP)
Government forces fire towards Houthi fighters during clashes northwest of Marib in central Yemen. (AFP)
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Houthis Tried to Attack Saudi Arabia 1,031 Times Using Ballistic Missiles, Armed Drones

Government forces fire towards Houthi fighters during clashes northwest of Marib in central Yemen. (AFP)
Government forces fire towards Houthi fighters during clashes northwest of Marib in central Yemen. (AFP)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen are continuing their escalation against Saudi Arabia through ballistic missile and armed drone attacks.

The Kingdom has been largely successful in deterring these attacks that have targeted civilians and civilian locations.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition revealed recently that the Houthis have launched 1,031 rockets, projectiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia.

In its breakdown, it showed that the militias fired 372 ballistic missiles and 659 drones. They also launched over 75 booby-trapped vessels and planted 205 mines in the Red Sea. They launched over 96,000 projectiles along the border and committed 30,000 ceasefire violations in Yemen’s Hodeidah province.

The Houthis have escalated their attacks against Saudi Arabia ever since Riyadh announced a new initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis earlier this year. The Houthis have met Saudi Arabia’s efforts to prepare for a political process and support relief efforts with more stalling and intransigence.

The Arab coalition has repeatedly slammed the Houthi attacks as war crimes, stressing that it is constantly taking operational measures to protect civilians from the militias.

The Houthi attacks have drawn widespread Gulf, Arab and international condemnation and demands for a decisive position to be taken to halt these crimes.

The legitimate Yemeni government and parliament have slammed the recent Houthi escalation in Yemen’s Marib city and Hadramawt.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said the escalation was a clear message and response to all regional and international efforts to restore peace and end the war in Yemen. It is evidence of the militias’ allegiance to the Iranian regime and its destructive policies in the region.

It expressed its support to Saudi Arabia and all the measures it takes to confront the cowardly Houthi attacks, urging the international community to break its silence and speak out against these crimes that threaten security and stability and to hold the perpetrators to account.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.