Saudi Arabia is grappling with a significant escalation in violence as the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has intensified missile and drone attacks on the kingdom, particularly targeting Riyadh’s international airport. Over the past week, the airport has been struck multiple times, including a deadly assault on a passenger terminal that killed at least 12 people and injured hundreds. Among the victims was a senior Bangladeshi cleric, and an injured Indian national later died from wounds sustained in the attacks. The airport was temporarily closed following the strikes, disrupting operations and affecting travel.
The recent flare-up follows a series of confrontations beginning in July when Saudi-led forces struck the Houthi-controlled airport in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. Saudi authorities said the attack was intended to prevent an unauthorized Iranian-linked plane from landing, while the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of aggression. In retaliation, the Houthis declared a “blockade for blockade” policy, imposing restrictions on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, an important route for oil exports amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation has reignited the civil war in Yemen, which had experienced a fragile truce since 2022.
The Houthis, who seized control of northern Yemen and the capital in 2014, have grown stronger and more self-reliant over the course of the conflict. Despite a decade of Saudi-led airstrikes, the group has maintained its hold on territory and increased its capabilities, including missile and drone strikes deep into Saudi territory. Analysts characterise the conflict as asymmetrical, with the Houthis calculating they can inflict more damage on Saudi infrastructure than they receive in return.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faces mounting pressure to halt the attacks amid his broader efforts to reposition the kingdom as a global hub for business and tourism. The strikes have cast a shadow over upcoming international events, including major political and economic summits planned in Riyadh. Several airlines have cancelled flights, and foreign governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have issued travel warnings for the Saudi capital.
Saudi officials have condemned the attacks and vowed a strong response but have provided limited details on specific military actions. The kingdom is receiving support from the United States, including targeting assistance and aerial refueling capabilities, although a more forceful American intervention remains uncertain. President Trump, involved in a prior bombing campaign against the Houthis, has indicated that a decision on expanding engagement will be considered.
The situation presents Saudi Arabia with difficult choices: either pursue a political settlement involving Iran, which backs the Houthis and remains engaged in wider regional tensions with the U.S. and Israel, or continue military operations aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities. Analysts caution that the latter may perpetuate the cycle of violence, with ongoing risks to Saudi civilian infrastructure and economic ambitions.
This latest surge in hostilities underscores the enduring complexity of the Yemen conflict, which has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. While Saudi Arabia seeks to assert control and secure its borders, the Houthis appear increasingly emboldened, as demonstrated by their persistent offensive capabilities and strategic gains along the Red Sea coastline. The outcome of this confrontation will likely influence both regional stability and global economic dynamics linked to the Red Sea and the Gulf.