Saudi Arabia has alleged that Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out attacks against civilian and economic facilities within the kingdom, leaving at least 73 civilians injured, including women and children.

The statement was issued on Tuesday as violence escalated in Yemen. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognised Yemeni government, which has begun a military operation aimed at regaining areas controlled by the Iran backed Houthi movement.

Major General Turki al Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi led coalition involved in the Yemen conflict, said the attacks were directed at civilian and economic locations in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.

He did not provide details about the dates on which the alleged attacks occurred.

Al Maliki characterised the incidents as a serious escalation and a clear infringement of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty. He said the attacks represented a direct danger to people living in the kingdom.

According to the coalition spokesperson, Saudi forces would implement whatever operational steps were considered necessary to respond to the attacks and target the origins of the perceived threat.

The Houthis had not immediately issued a response to the Saudi accusations.

Earlier, the Houthi movement alleged that Saudi Arabia had carried out an airstrike on a prison in Al Hazm, located in Yemen’s northern Al Jawf governorate. The group claimed that at least seven people were killed in the incident and warned that continued Saudi military action against Yemen would have consequences.

Saudi authorities have not publicly responded to that allegation.

Yemen’s conflict dates back to 2014, when Houthi forces took control of the capital, Sanaa. Saudi Arabia subsequently led a military intervention in the country the following year.

Major fighting between the opposing sides declined significantly after a United Nations supported truce was reached in 2022. However, hostilities later increased again following the conflict involving the United Statfes, Israel and Iran.