Saudi Arabia faces new missile and drone fire after major attacks on airports

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing for a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on its airports, just days after a deadly strike on an airport terminal claimed by Yemen's Houthis. The Saudi government forces in Yemen reported the incoming missiles and drones, although there was no immediate confirmation if they were intercepted.

The Houthis have been targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week, escalating a conflict that has now spread from the broader regional strife between the United States and Iran. This surge in attacks has led to disruptions in Saudi airspace, causing Riyadh airport to remain shut and leaving the capital skies largely empty during an ongoing major energy conference.

Saudi Arabia has taken on a challenging situation, re-entering Yemen's civil war to push the Houthis from the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait oil route and to prevent the group from further advances following their swift gains in September. While Yemeni forces supported by Riyadh have made some progress against the Houthis near Bab el-Mandeb, they remain at a disadvantage in other areas. Military sources in Yemen indicate that any pressure on the Houthis could take considerable time to bear fruit.

Iran, Saudi Arabia's longstanding regional rival, has offered to mediate between the Houthi allies and the kingdom. Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, stated on Monday that Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to facilitate dialogue between the parties.

Despite ongoing Saudi airstrikes on the Houthi group, including reported hits in al-Jawf province on Monday, Yemen's military television claimed, the Houthis continue their attacks on Saudi infrastructure. The group has frequently threatened to target airports and airspace, as well as Saudi oil installations which are vital to the kingdom's economy and its ambitious development plans.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has urged for a resumption of joint Gulf action on security and defense in response to the attacks. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash emphasized that the targeting of Saudi Arabia undermines the security of all Gulf states and noted that the lack of collective Gulf security has emboldened others to overreach against regional states.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once allies in the Yemen conflict, backing different forces within the Yemeni military coalition, but they became estranged last winter.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump mentioned that Washington was considering joining Saudi Arabia in strikes on the Houthis, but there has been no confirmed US involvement so far.