Riyadh Airport Attack: Another Dangerous Moment in a Tense Region
The attack on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh on Saturday is yet another perilous episode in a region already fraught with conflict.
Saudi Arabia was caught off guard by this incident. In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have intensified their strikes on Saudi territory, but their recent assaults have targeted critical infrastructure, including the capital's main airport, seemingly breaching Saudi air defenses with ease. While physical repairs can be swift, the kingdom's reputation as a safe haven is suffering.
Beyond airport attacks, the Houthis have attempted to seize strategic positions along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, heightening the risk to global shipping through this vital maritime corridor, despite Yemen's government claiming to have secured it.
The civil war in Yemen, lasting over a decade between the internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, supported by Iran, has resulted in thousands of deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis. This conflict, entwined with geopolitical tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, has reached a new dangerous stage.
Who are the Houthis and what do they seek?
The Houthi attacks, along with rising global economic concerns, signal a new level of threat to Saudi Arabia. Overcoming previous challenges, including the al-Qaeda insurgency and the Arab Spring, the kingdom faces a different kind of threat from the Houthis, who have seized significant parts of the country.
By targeting Saudi Arabia's economic soft underbelly, the Houthis, as part of the "axis of resistance," demonstrate their understanding of how to retaliate effectively.