Why Saudi defences struggle to repel Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia's advanced weaponry has failed to stop a series of devastating Houthi attacks, including a deadly strike on Riyadh airport that killed 12 people and injured over 300. These repeated missile and drone assaults have damaged the oil-rich country's reputation for stability. While Saudi air defences have intercepted attacks across the nation, several strikes managed to slip through, including those targeting oil facilities and Riyadh's airport.

Experts warn that even a well-layered system of Patriot, THAAD, fighter aircraft and sensors cannot create an impervious shield over a country as vast as Saudi Arabia. The kingdom's military-industrial capacity is limited, so it relies heavily on imported cutting-edge weaponry from Western manufacturers. Saudi Arabia's defense strategy involves a large presence of foreign personnel, contractors, and trainers.

The Houthi movement, or Ansar Allah, behind these attacks, is well-trained, tenacious, and battle-hardened. They aim to rewrite the rules by inflicting economic and psychological costs on Saudi Arabia, which has been trying to extricate itself from the Yemen conflict for years.