Yemeni Rebels Confirm Scud Missile Launch at Saudi Arabia

A news network controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen has confirmed the launch of a Scud missile at Khamis Mushait in Saudi Arabia. This is the first time since the beginning of the airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition that the rebels have used a ballistic missile. The Al-Masirah news network confirmed this news on June 6. Saudi Arabia has stated that a Scud missile was launched at Khamis Mushait, which was intercepted and destroyed by Patriot missiles. The King Khalid Air Base of Saudi Arabia is located in this area. Meanwhile, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic has reported from the Al-Manar network (affiliated with Hezbollah) and Al-Mayadeen, another Lebanese network, that the launch of this missile was a 'message' and 'warning' to Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press reports that it is estimated that 300 Scud missiles were in the possession of the Yemeni army, a significant portion of which has now fallen into the hands of the rebels. Earlier in April, Ahmed Asiri, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, stated that the Scud missile arsenal in Yemen had been severely damaged due to the coalition's airstrikes. However, he later mentioned that 80% of approximately 300 Scud missiles had been destroyed. Despite this, it remains unclear how many of these missiles are currently in the possession of the rebels and are launchable. The missile launch by the rebels coincided with ground attacks by forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen, at the Saudi border. These events come as negotiations regarding Yemen are set to take place in Geneva in the coming days, with both the Houthis and the Yemeni exiled government indicating they will participate. The official Yemeni news agency, controlled by the Houthis, reported that 38 people were killed in recent airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in a camp, a relief center, a school, and another location in northern Yemen. Reuters has stated that it could not independently verify this report. Iranian officials have expressed their support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Ayatollah Khamenei, their highest-ranking official, strongly criticizing Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Tehran has been accused by regional countries of creating tension and attempting to dominate the region, and by the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the exiled Yemeni government, of interfering in the country's affairs. Iran has denied allegations of interference in Yemen. In this context, the Houthis' agreement to participate in the peace talks in Geneva comes amid ongoing attacks at the Saudi border.