A Saudi-led coalition has launched fresh air attacks on Iran-allied Houthi forces in Yemen's capital Sanaa, part of an escalation of tit-for-tat attacks that has stoked regional tensions.

The raids hit air-defense systems and other military positions in the Houthi-controlled city days after the Houthis launched multiple drone attacks targeting Jizan and Abha airports in southern Saudi, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV.

The Houthis rebel missile attack on Wednesday wounded 26 civilians at Saudi Arabia's Abha airport, drawing promises of "stern action" from the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels.

A Houthi official, Mohamed Abdul Salam, said the strike was in retaliation for the Saudi-led coalition's continued "aggression and blockade" against Yemen.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 that has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks as tensions have risen between Iran and Saudi Arabia allied with the United State further afield across the Middle East.

During an interview with local media, Saudi's Crown Prince called on the international community to take a "decisive stand" towards attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, which Washington blamed on Iran. The Prince also stressed that the kingdom does not want a regional war but would not hesitate to deal with any threats to its vital interests.

(Cover: Passengers wait for a flight at Abha airport, one day after a Yemeni rebel missile attack. /AFP Photo)

(With input from Reuters)