Yemeni armed forces spokesman Yahya Saree says Saudi warplanes carried out 54 strikes across six provinces in 12 hours, warning that Riyadh will face a decisive response.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Yemen’s armed forces have warned of a “severe” response after Saudi warplanes reportedly carried out 54 airstrikes across several parts of the country within 12 hours.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces, said on Wednesday that the strikes targeted provinces in northern, central, western and southwestern Yemen, including al-Jawf, Sa’ada, al-Bayda, Ma’rib, Hudaydah and Ta’izz.

Saree said Saudi F-15 fighter jets launched from King Khalid Air Base near Khamis Mushait, while a Saudi Eurofighter Typhoon took off from King Fahd Air Base in Taif to conduct strikes in al-Jawf.

“The Saudi enemy’s attempts to evade accountability for its crimes and aggression against our nation will not spare it from the grave consequences,” Saree said.

He warned that Riyadh “cannot escape the severe repercussions” of its actions and would face what he described as a decisive response.

Saudi Arabia has not immediately confirmed the reported 54 strikes. Al-Monitor also reported that the Houthis had reported more than 50 Saudi attacks across several Yemeni regions, while no official Saudi comment had been issued.

The latest exchange follows an escalation in fighting between the Houthi movement and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, with clashes reported on several fronts in western Yemen.

Earlier, Saree said a Saudi F-15 fighter had carried out two airstrikes on the Central Corrective Facility in al-Hazm district of al-Jawf province.

He said the attack killed and wounded inmates and visitors, including women and children. The claim has not been independently verified.

The warning also follows Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Reuters reported that the Houthis struck an airbase in Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby areas, with 73 people injured.

Saudi authorities said the attacks affected civilians and energy infrastructure, while Riyadh has vowed to respond.

The United Nations has expressed concern over the renewed escalation, including reports of civilian casualties and intensified fighting across multiple fronts in Yemen. It has urged all sides to exercise restraint and comply with international humanitarian law.

The current escalation comes after years of conflict between the Houthis and the internationally recognised Yemeni government.

Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 at the head of a coalition supporting the government against the Houthi movement. The conflict continued for years before a UN-brokered truce in 2022 significantly reduced fighting along several front lines.

On July 20, Yemen’s Houthi authorities also announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, citing what they described as Riyadh’s prolonged siege and military actions against Yemen.

Since then, the Houthis have reported attacks against Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea.

The latest Saudi airstrikes and Yemen’s threat of retaliation now mark another escalation in the fighting, with both sides warning of further military action.