Houthi Airport Attacks Prompt EU-GCC Summit Postponement, Escalating Regional Tensions

The European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have postponed their upcoming joint summit in Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom's airports and oil infrastructure. The decision, announced Thursday, cites "continued attempts by the terrorist Houthi militia to target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its civilian infrastructure, which threatens the security and safety of innocent civilians."

The postponement follows a vow by Yemen's Houthi rebels to press ahead with attacks on Saudi targets, including oil facilities and airports. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that operations "toward Saudi depths will continue in the coming days," labeling the locations as "legitimate targets" in retaliation for Saudi strikes on Yemen. Saudi-led forces reported intercepting a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh on Wednesday, and local journalists described hearing "loud explosions" in the Saudi capital.

This escalation marks a significant breach of a four-year informal cease-fire in Yemen's civil war, reignited amid broader regional instability linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The Houthis have recently intensified their focus on Saudi Arabia, following earlier actions in September where they claimed control of the strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and seized other islands along the Red Sea coast. Saudi-backed forces recaptured key areas around the strait in early October.

Recent Attacks and Retaliations

A Tuesday night attack on Saudi Aramco's executive offices in Dhahran caused a limited fire, confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Energy, with no injuries reported. Saudi authorities stated that several missiles and drones were intercepted elsewhere, and falling debris injured four people in Riyadh. These incidents followed a Saudi strike on an oil depot near Sanaa, Yemen's capital, which appeared to be a response to Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday that killed 13 people and injured over 300. Another projectile hit the same airport on Sunday, killing one person.

Saudi Arabia, a major purchaser of American weapons, is facing challenges in defending against the Houthi attacks. Experts suggest the vastness of Saudi territory, with a border stretching over 800 miles with Yemen, makes complete interception of all projectiles unrealistic. Operations at King Khalid International Airport remain suspended, leading several airlines, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Philippine Airlines, to announce flight suspensions to Riyadh. The U.S. embassy in Riyadh has alerted Americans to potential travel disruptions.

Houthi Background and Motivations

The Houthis, a Zaidi Shi'ite revivalist movement that emerged in Yemen in the 1990s, have been engaged in conflict with the internationally recognized government for approximately two decades. The group, now led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, sparking the ongoing civil war. They currently control much of western Yemen, including Sanaa.

Experts characterize the Houthis as having ideological and radical ideas, with social restrictions and alleged human rights abuses reported in areas under their control. The group also maintains strong ties with Iran, often aligning its actions with Tehran's objectives and considered part of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' proxy network.

Regional Context and Houthi Objectives

The Houthis' recent actions, including strikes on shipping vessels in the Red Sea starting in late 2023, have disrupted global trade and led to retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and U.K. in January 2024. The group's advances along the Red Sea are seen as serving Iran's interests, potentially giving Tehran leverage in regional negotiations.

While considered close allies of Iran, experts note the Houthis possess independent interests. Their goals have evolved, with a primary objective to become a regional power and an end to what they term a Saudi blockade on Yemeni ports and airports. They seek to open skies and ports for trade and to consolidate their rule, aiming for recognition as the legitimate government in Sanaa.

Resumption of Hostilities

The current wave of fighting reignited after a UN-brokered cease-fire, largely in place since April 2022, collapsed in July. The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia struck Sanaa Airport targeting a returning delegation, prompting retaliatory missile launches toward Saudi Arabia. This led to a resumption of strikes on oil refineries and airports, with the Houthis aiming to exert economic and geopolitical pressure on Saudi Arabia to negotiate a political settlement and lift the blockade on Yemen.