Saudi Arabia Faces New Missile, Drone Strikes After Deadly Houthi Airport Attacks
The ongoing assaults have led to significant disruptions in air travel and prompted calls for renewed regional security cooperation.
Saudi Arabia experienced a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Monday, following a deadly weekend strike that targeted the country's main airports and led to widespread flight cancellations. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported that Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched multiple drone and cruise missile attacks, with several intercepted before reaching their targets, which included key oil and gas facilities.
The disruptions have severely impacted air travel, with operations at King Khalid International Airport suspended until October 17. The airport was the scene of weekend attacks that killed 14 people and injured more than 300, marking an unprecedented assault on Saudi Arabia's aviation infrastructure. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, flight cancellations across all Saudi airports reached 46% on Monday. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning advising U.S. airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over parts of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman condemned the Houthi attacks, vowing retaliation and stating that the response would be as serious as the recent events. The disruptions also affected the World Petroleum Congress held in Riyadh.
In response to the escalating instability, the United Arab Emirates called for a revival of joint Gulf security and defense actions. Anwar Gargash, senior adviser to the UAE president, emphasized that the region's security is indivisible and that all nations are targeted. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen the collective security framework.
The recent attacks have raised concerns about the potential re-escalation of the civil war in Yemen, which had seen a period of relative calm following a ceasefire in 2022.