Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed 136 Houthi targets as flight warning continues
In short
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas on October 9, Chinese outlets reported. The Houthis renewed a warning to airlines operating in Saudi airspace, while flights to and from Riyadh faced further cancellations.
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The Saudi-led coalition said it carried out a large-scale military operation on October 9 and destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas, according to Chinese reports. China News Service, citing the Saudi Press Agency, reported that the coalition spokesperson announced the figure that evening. The spokesperson said coalition forces were working to dismantle the Houthis' ballistic missile network while providing round-the-clock air support to Yemeni government forces. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Houthis issued another warning on October 9 to airlines operating in Saudi airspace. Their statement said all such operators should exercise caution and remain alert, describing Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina, as an operational area for their missile forces. The group said the warning would remain in force until Saudi Arabia ended what it described as aggression against and a blockade of Yemen. [ 3 ]
China News Service cited Reuters as reporting that some regional airlines continued operating flights through Riyadh but many services had been cancelled or delayed. According to Flightradar24 data cited in the article, 131 flights to and from the Saudi capital had been cancelled by 13:05 GMT on October 9, following hundreds of cancellations the day before. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on October 9 it had expanded the areas of Saudi airspace it advised airlines to avoid, citing recent attacks on Saudi airports and risks to civil aviation. [ 3 ]
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported a statement from the group condemning Saudi attacks on Yemen's economic facilities and civilian infrastructure. The statement said two factories in Sanaa had recently been attacked, causing substantial casualties and property losses, without giving figures in the report. Separately, CLS reported on October 9 that a Saudi coalition spokesperson said three Houthi missile launch platforms had been destroyed. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
China News Service reported 131 Riyadh flight cancellations by 13:05 GMT on October 9, following hundreds the preceding day. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency expanded its advice on Saudi airspace to avoid because of recent airport attacks and risks to civil aviation.
Key facts
- The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Houthis declared Saudi airspace, apart from areas over Mecca and Medina, an operational zone for their missile forces. [ 3 ]
- China News Service cited Flightradar24 data showing 131 flights to and from Riyadh cancelled by 13:05 GMT on October 9. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The verified damage and casualty toll from the military operations. The reports relay coalition target counts and Houthi claims of casualties and property losses without independent verification or casualty figures.