Saudi Crown Prince Reportedly Hiding in Bunkered Palaces Amid Intensified Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly been moving between heavily guarded palaces equipped with bunkers for the past six days, according to officials. This heightened security measure comes as Houthi rebels intensify missile and drone attacks on the capital, Riyadh.

On Sunday, the capital's international airport was struck, resulting in one death and 11 injuries. This incident followed a more severe attack 24 hours prior, which hit King Khalid International Airport and resulted in 13 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, marking the deadliest strike on Saudi Arabia in a decade.

Following this escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington might intervene in the conflict, stating he would "look at it" when asked about potential U.S. involvement. Trump, who has described the crown prince as a "good friend" in the past, has expressed displeasure with the situation, stating, "It's not good... I'm not happy."

The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the recent attacks, with military spokesman Yahya Saree stating that the Iran-backed group conducted multiple operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority condemned the attack on the airport, reporting material damage and the death of a Pakistani resident.

The intensified attacks have disrupted daily life in Riyadh, with schools forced to close and transition to remote learning. The UK and EU have condemned the Houthi strikes, labeling them a "dangerous escalation" and urging a halt to attacks on civilian targets. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the actions "contemptible," while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that such attacks by "Iran's proxies" are pushing the region into a "spiral of violence."

The recent incidents are part of a broader conflict that saw renewed intensity in July after a four-year UN-brokered truce in Yemen collapsed. Saudi Arabia leads an international coalition supporting Yemen's government and has been increasingly involved in the conflict in its impoverished neighbor. Previous Saudi requests for U.S. military assistance against the Houthis have reportedly been rebuffed. Any direct U.S. involvement could potentially escalate the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.