Saudi strikes on Yemen prompt fresh threat
New air strikes on Sanaa deepen the escalation between Riyadh and the Houthi movement.
Follow-up to: Saudi Arabia and Houthis threaten attacks on oil facilities Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 19:00
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New Saudi air strikes on Sanaa further intensified threats between Riyadh and the Houthis on Tuesday. The Houthi movement warned of a forceful response against the Saudi capital, while independent information about the damage in Yemen remains limited.
The Saudi-led coalition carried out new air strikes on Tuesday against Sanaa, the capital held by the Houthi movement. AP and The Guardian reported this, citing the Houthi broadcaster Al Masirah, local residents and witnesses. A coalition spokesperson had shortly beforehand urged residents to leave the area.
Witnesses in Sanaa reported explosions, but it was initially unclear which targets had been hit. The Houthis said the strikes hit, among other things, oil infrastructure west of the capital. The Guardian described the targets as strategic oil storage facilities, but there too the precise damage had not been independently established.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, warned that an attack on Sanaa would provoke a forceful and painful response against Riyadh. According to AP, the statement came after the coalition announced that it would warn residents ahead of an operation. It is not known whether or when the announced retaliation will take place.
The exchange of threats follows Saturday’s attack on Riyadh’s international airport. According to AP, at least thirteen people were killed and more than three hundred others injured. Saudi Arabia is investigating how a series of missiles and drones managed to get through its air defences.
Fighting is also taking place around Taiz, an important city in south-western Yemen. Yemen’s Ministry of Interior reported, according to AP, that Houthi attacks there had killed six people and injured eighteen others in the preceding 24 hours. A commander of the Saudi-backed forces said Houthi units had reached the outskirts of the city. Those claims could not be independently verified.
The new attacks increase the risk that the fighting will spread further to infrastructure important for energy and shipping. In recent days, the Houthis have attacked Saudi airports and other targets with drones and missiles; Saudi Arabia has a much larger air force and has responded with strikes in Yemen.
For the Netherlands and Europe, the main concerns are the safety of air and shipping routes and possible disruptions to energy transport. At present, there is no reliable indication that the new attacks have already led to a demonstrable change in European energy prices. It is clear, however, that both sides are publicly threatening further attacks and that the situation could change rapidly.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Saudi Arabia and its allies carried out new attacks on Sanaa.
- The Houthis threatened retaliation against Riyadh.
- Both sides accuse each other of attacking targets outside their own territory.
- The consequences for regional energy and shipping routes remain uncertain.
Left
Arguments The attacks increase the risk to civilians and make a political solution more difficult. From this perspective, international pressure should focus primarily on a ceasefire, humanitarian access and ending attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Values Protection of civilians, international law and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences Further military escalation could create new refugee flows and deepen regional instability.
Centre
Arguments Saudi Arabia has the right to protect its population, but attacks and threats must remain verifiable and proportionate. An institutional approach combines air defences, diplomacy and international mediation.
Values Security, proportionality, verification and administrative stability.
Consequences A limited response could prevent escalation, but half-hearted agreements may only temporarily pause the fighting.
Right
Arguments The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia show that deterrence is not working sufficiently. From this perspective, Riyadh should strengthen its military capacity and the protection of strategic infrastructure, and make clear that attacks have consequences.
Values National security, deterrence and the responsibility of armed groups for their attacks.
Consequences A stronger response could deter future attacks, but it also increases the risk of a regional war.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core has been confirmed by AP and The Guardian. Claims about the exact damage and fighting around Taiz are clearly attributed to sources involved.
- confirmed The Saudi-led coalition carried out attacks on Sanaa on 13 October. — Reported by AP, based on Houthi media and local residents. source
- confirmed The Houthis threatened a forceful response against Riyadh. — AP quoted Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree. source
- confirmed At least thirteen people were killed and more than three hundred injured in the attack on Riyadh airport. — Figures cited by AP. source
- confirmed The precise damage in Sanaa had not been independently established. — AP reported that witnesses heard explosions, but that it was initially unclear what had been hit. source
Editor's note
It is certain that attacks on Sanaa were reported on Tuesday and that the Houthis threatened retaliation. The precise targets, damage and some reports concerning Taiz were based on statements by parties involved and could not be independently confirmed.Sources
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42 Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 05:43 Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 18:48 Riyadh Airport attacked again, flights cancelled
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 23:45 More wounded in attack on Riyadh airport
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 05:44 New attack on Riyadh airport claims twelve lives
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 12:46 Riyadh keeps airport closed after deadly attack
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 15:58 Report: child killed after Saudi strike on Sanaa
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 16:28 Trump considers US role in Saudi attacks
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 18:04 Projectile hits passenger terminal in Riyadh again
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:27 A projectile also lands near Dammam airport
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 23:27 Fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia raise risk of regional war
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 01:26 New attack on Riyadh airport kills one
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 02:26 New attack also hits Dammam airport
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 19:58 Saudi Arabia investigates failed defences after airport attack
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 02:26 Saudi Arabia halts warnings of new attacks
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 02:56 Qatar Airways suspends flights to Riyadh and Dammam
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 12:59 Houthis encircle Yemeni city of Taiz
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 19:00 Saudi Arabia and Houthis threaten attacks on oil facilities
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:57 Saudi strikes on Yemen prompt fresh threat (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „jemen sanaa”
- Het Parool — „jemen sanaa”
- Trouw — „jemen sanaa”