Saudi Arabia’s resolve, and fears of a ‘forever war’
Deadly airport strikes have more Saudis worried how hard the kingdom will be hit.
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is set to host a series of events next week, including concerts, UFC matches, and tennis tournaments. However, the recent Houthi strikes have left residents questioning whether Riyadh is still the place to be. Traffic on King Fahd Road has decreased, and some businesses have asked employees to work from home.
Schools have moved to remote learning, with no set date for students to return to the classroom. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people, with hundreds wounded. Fear is now breaking through, especially after the death of Saudi pilot Hamoud Alkalthami, who has become a symbol of the war. While Saudis generally trust their government, there is a growing desire for the disruption to end.
The conflict with Iran has been ongoing since 2019, while the Houthis have posed a more complex challenge. Riyadh has tried a combination of military strikes and diplomacy over the past decade, but a lasting truce in 2022 was short-lived. It now appears that this is a "forever war," with few knowing what "winning" would entail. Unlike the Gulf War of 1991, which instilled fear in some Saudis due to the uncertainty of Scud missiles, the current situation leaves uncertainty as the greatest fear.
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