The overnight attack by Houthi forces in Yemen on a Saudi Arabian airport represents a significant escalation in their ongoing war. That’s partly because the attack wounded 26 civilians and could have killed many more. But it’s also because Iran’s hand appears to lurk close here.
First off, there’s the tactical nature of the attack itself. Both the Saudi and Houthi authorities say that the missile used was a cruise variant rather than a ballistic missile. But unlike most Houthi missile attacks, which have a sketchy record on accuracy, this missile was stunningly accurate. True, Abha is closer to the Yemeni border than the vast majority of Saudi cities. Still, at more than 80 miles from the Yemeni border, it isn’t exactly a layup, especially considering that the target was a specific building. That suggests Iran either supported the Houthis with targeting data from Saudi soil, or with targeting equipment attached to the missile’s guidance system, or with the provision of an especially accurate missile.
