Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia has intensified its assault on Saudi Arabia, with a primary focus on targeting the kingdom’s airports and energy infrastructure. The violence escalated significantly over the weekend; a missile strike on Riyadh International Airport on Saturday resulted in 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries. A subsequent attack on Sunday claimed another civilian life and wounded 11 others.
According to Houthi statements, the militia also struck the airport in Dammam and two oil facilities within a 24-hour period. In response, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud issued warnings regarding the implications for global energy security and pledged a robust counter-response.
Saudi military spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed that strikes against Yemen have already neutralized 136 military targets, including missile launch pads and storage sites, according to an October 11 report by the American Enterprise Institute. However, these aerial campaigns echo the outcomes of the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention between 2015 and 2022, which ultimately failed to defeat the Houthi movement.
The original coalition has since fragmented, with the United Arab Emirates withdrawing its troops. Meanwhile, the Houthis maintain control over substantial portions of northern Yemen and are expanding their influence along the western coastline. From these positions, they disrupt international shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In early September, drone attacks severely damaged the East-West oil pipeline, causing a temporary halt to exports and destabilizing energy markets.
Analysts describe the conflict as asymmetrical. Marcus Schneider of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation noted that while Saudi Arabia possesses modern weaponry, the Houthis do not need to win a conventional war. Their strategy of deploying missiles and drones to threaten infrastructure is sufficient to undermine Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic reforms and oil export reliability.
Seeking to bolster its defenses, Riyadh has engaged with several international partners. The UK and France have pledged military support, with London offering aerial refueling for fighter jets and Paris providing radar systems and air defense technology for the Yanbu oil terminal. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also sought assistance from Pakistan and Turkey under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed in August.
While Pakistan initially ruled out direct military intervention, reports suggest it may be conducting airstrikes, though Islamabad denies these claims. Turkey has excluded offensive operations but is supplying air defense equipment. Meanwhile, political analyst Osamah Al-Rawhani noted a potential shift in US policy, although he questioned whether Saudi Arabia possesses the long-term political will and financial resources to sustain a successful offensive.
UAE diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash called for renewed Gulf security cooperation, stating that attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten the entire region. Despite Iran offering to mediate between the warring parties, Saudi Arabia remains skeptical due to Tehran’s support for the Houthis and the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Vision 2030 looks shaky when your main airport is getting bombed repeatedly. The economy can’t survive this.
Another costly escalation that won’t fix the root problem. Saudi Arabia needs diplomacy, not just more missiles.