Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and resilience have come under significant strain following a recent surge in attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, Saudi officials said Monday. The strikes, which targeted key transport hubs including Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, resulted in multiple casualties and disrupted operations at the facility for several days.
The latest attack on Sunday marked a period of intensified hostilities in the ongoing Yemen conflict, where Saudi Arabia backs the internationally recognized government against the Iran-aligned Houthis. On the same day, the airport was struck again, causing a fire and prompting an extended suspension of flights. This followed an earlier attack the previous day that killed 13 people and wounded hundreds, making these the deadliest assaults on Saudi soil in a decade.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman acknowledged the challenges posed by the attacks during remarks at a conference in Riyadh. He emphasized the importance of preparedness and robust infrastructure, stating that the kingdom’s “institutions, our people, and our resilience” have been thoroughly tested. “Energy security can’t be taken for granted,” he said, warning that the response to these developments must be “equally serious.”
The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for multiple strikes over a 24-hour period, describing Saudi transit hubs as active operational targets. Saudi-led coalition forces reported intercepting missile attacks on the airport and a ballistic missile launched toward the southern city of Khamis Mushait, which hosts a major military base. Despite Saudi Arabia’s significant military investment, experts note the difficulty of defending against all such threats over a large geographic area.
The coalition denounced the attacks as a “full-fledged war crime” and pledged a decisive response. Meanwhile, Houthi-aligned media reported Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital in Yemen, which local health officials say killed one civilian and injured several others.
International reactions included condemnation from the United Nations, the United States, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US President Donald Trump indicated he was considering more direct military support for Saudi Arabia. Iran, which backs the Houthis, expressed concern over the escalation.
Casualty reports provided by Saudi authorities indicated that victims included Saudi nationals as well as foreign workers from Bangladesh, India, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. The Indian embassy confirmed the death of one of its citizens due to injuries sustained in the attacks.
Eyewitness accounts from Riyadh described a chaotic scene at the airport, with victims suffering severe injuries and emergency services responding amid widespread panic. Several Western embassies advised their citizens to avoid the airport until security conditions improve.
The crisis comes as Saudi-backed forces claim advances against the Houthis near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, though Houthi fighters assert they have repelled these efforts. Due to heavy restrictions on media access and the rapidly evolving situation, many claims remain difficult to independently verify.