Three killed in attacks on Saudi airports as Yemen fighting escalates

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have intensified their missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, disrupting flights and prompting some office workers to work remotely. The group claimed to have fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh airport and reiterated the threat of closing Saudi airspace following the kingdom's support for the internationally recognized government in Yemen's civil war.

The conflict, which is a result of the US-Iran war, has added to the chaos in the already volatile region and could potentially draw more states into the conflict, with Syria considering sending troops to assist Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has been seeking support from allied nations, including Turkey and Pakistan, to reverse Houthi gains in southwest Yemen.

This request has become more urgent after reports of three fatalities in strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports. Numerous flights were delayed at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, and several multinational firms in Riyadh's financial district advised employees to work from home after the morning booms. While the Saudi government did not comment, some diplomats received warnings, and schools in Riyadh advised parents to shelter in place.

The Houthis, who control many of Yemen's most populous areas, including the capital Sanaa, claim they are retaliating against Saudi-backed attacks, a claim the government denies. Their threats to shipping along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for Gulf oil exports, have led to Saudi-backed forces launching a counterattack and regaining areas around the strait.

However, the Houthis have made their own gains, surrounding Yemen's third-largest city, Taiz. The ongoing fighting has caused a humanitarian crisis, displacing 200,000 people since the conflict resumed. Syria is considering military support for Saudi Arabia, including defensive aid or an offensive deployment to help take the fight to the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to the Mecca Pact with Turkey and Pakistan, committing to each other's defense, though Turkey has yet to ratify the treaty.