Saudi-led coalition calls Houthi attacks on kingdom "dangerous escalation"

RIYADH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government in Yemen said on Tuesday that recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi group targeting Saudi Arabia constitute a "dangerous escalation."

In a post on social media platform X, coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said the escalation by the Houthi group and its attempts to target the kingdom, its national assets, citizens and residents reflect what he described as a "hostile and irresponsible approach."

Al-Maliki said the latest attacks targeted civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, injuring 73 civilians, including women and children.

He said the attacks constituted a violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents.

Al-Maliki added that the coalition's Joint Forces Command would take necessary operational measures to deter the Houthi group, respond to the sources of threats and neutralize their danger.

Houthis said Tuesday that they hit multiple targets in Saudi Arabia, including Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base and facilities belonging to the state-owned oil company Aramco in Abha and Jizan, according to Houthi-run media Ansarollah. Enditem