New Delhi, July 14 -- Saudi-aligned forces had bombed the runway at Sanaa International Airport hours earlier to prevent a Houthi delegation from landing.

The Abha strikes marked the first direct cross-border Houthi attack on Saudi territory in years. Saudi air defences intercepted at least one ballistic missile targeting the Asir province airport, a coalition spokesman confirmed, while Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the Abha attack a proportionate response and warned the kingdom that "this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished."

"Air defences intercepted a ballistic missile threat launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards the southern region," the Saudi-led coalition said in a brief statement that omitted...