French embassy in Riyadh tells citizens to avoid Saudi airports targeted by Houthis

The French embassy in Saudi Arabia told its citizens to avoid the airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam on Tuesday and advised against travelling to those cities following a series of Houthi attacks.

"Given the security situation, French nationals are strictly advised against travelling to or transiting through King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd Airport in Dammam," the embassy said in a statement.

"It is also not advised to travel to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam unless necessary," it added.

Read more Why Yemen's war is escalating

Fighting has escalated between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been attacking Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week in a spillover from the wider regional conflagration between the US and Iran.

Saudi Arabia has in recent weeks launched strikes against the Houthis and is backing a Yemeni government counteroffensive after the group seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month.

The conflict has disrupted air travel in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh airport remaining closed after a deadly missile strike on Saturday claimed by the Houthis.

On Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition urged civilians to evacuate the Yemen Oil Company's Sabah central station in the capital Sanaa ahead of a planned military operation. 

A statement from the coalition's joint forces command identified the site on a map and said civilians should leave the area for their own safety. 

Earlier, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, warned that any strikes on Sanaa would be met with a "harsh and painful" response in the Saudi capital Riyadh. 

The Houthis also warned employees and civilians near Saudi Aramco oil facilities to evacuate and stay away, saying the facilities were legitimate targets for their forces. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)