In late 2009, the Houthis extended their insurgency into Saudi Arabia when they killed a border guard as revenge for Saudi Arabia allowing the Military of Yemen to launch attacks from its territory. Saudi Arabia responded by deploying the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia, under the command of Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation Prince Khaled bin Sultan. The result was deemed "humiliating blow to the Saudis’ well-financed but inexperienced military"—at least 133 Saudi soldiers were killed over three months of fighting.