Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen said on Saturday that its forces had carried out six military operations, and its claims include Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia aimed at Saudi Aramco facilities and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The claims come from the group itself and have not been independently confirmed. Separately, Israel's political landscape shifted after a general election left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu short of a majority.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said in a statement posted on X that the operations used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. He listed targets including oil storage tanks and oil processing sites in Riyadh, along with Saudi military sites and other installations inside Saudi Arabia and in Yemen. No official Saudi response to these claims is reported.
Netanyahu's bloc falls short in Israel's vote
Israel held its general election on 27 October. Netanyahu's alliance won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, the country's parliament, while opposition parties won 48 and Arab parties won 19. A government needs 61 seats for a majority, and a demand by Netanyahu for a unity government has been rejected.
President Isaac Herzog is set to formally invite Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief and opposition leader, to try to form a government, and Eisenkot will have 28 days to do so. Arab party Ram, which holds eight seats and is led by Mansour Abbas, announced its support for Eisenkot during consultations with the president on Thursday. Based on that support, Eisenkot could get an estimated 67 votes, six more than the majority requires. A faction of United Torah Judaism, a former Netanyahu partner, also refused to back him.
Commentary on the result has described it as a major blow to Netanyahu's long hold on power. One opinion piece also cited a claim that US President Donald Trump had ended military aid to Israel and pointed to threats of renewed US action against Iran; the aid claim is unconfirmed. The Arab League called a statement by the Israeli prime minister 'extremely dangerous and racist', and Mansour Abbas repeated support for a two-state solution and Trump's Gaza plan while calling for Hamas and all armed groups to disarm.
Fighting in Yemen and the Taiz market attack
The Houthi claims come as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has resumed. In Taiz province, an airstrike on a market killed at least 30 people and wounded eight, according to the Houthi health ministry spokesman, Anees al-Sabahi. The attack has been described as one of the deadliest in recent months.
The Houthis blamed Saudi-backed government forces for the strike, while government-linked officials blamed the Houthis and said no airstrike had hit the area. A provincial media office confirmed the attack and casualties but did not give a death toll. Saree said three airstrikes hit Al-Hadarah market around 7am, while other accounts place the market in Al-Wazia, and the provincial office warned that Houthi missile attacks endanger civilians.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 27 October: Israelis vote in a general election for the 120-seat Knesset.
- Thursday (date not given): Arab party Ram backs Gadi Eisenkot during consultations with President Herzog.
- Saturday (date not given): The Houthis claim six military operations, including Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia targeting Aramco and Riyadh airport.
- Date not given: An airstrike on a Taiz market kills at least 30 people, according to Houthi health officials.
- Next: President Herzog is to formally invite Eisenkot, who will have 28 days to form a government.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Yemen ke Houthi group ne Saudi Arabia mein Aramco ki tanseebat aur Riyadh ke airport par hamlon ka daawa kiya hai, jo abhi kisi azad zarye se tasdeeq nahi hua. Israel mein 27 October ke intikhabat mein Netanyahu ka ittehad 120 mein se sirf 53 seats le saka, aur sadar Eisenkot ko hukoomat banane ki dawat dene wale hain. Agar Saudi Arabia par hamlay jari rehte hain to petrol aur tail ki qeemat aur Gulf mein kaam par asar par nazar rakhni hogi. Taiz mein bazaar par hamle mein kam az kam 30 log halak hue, aur dono fareeq ek doosre par ilzam laga rahe hain.
