Saudi minister vows 'serious response' to Houthi attacks on airports

Saudi Energy Minister Abdul Aziz bin Salman has warned of a "serious" response to the recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom's airports and oil and gas facilities. Speaking at the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, the minister emphasized that the kingdom's reaction must match the gravity of the situation. On Sunday, a Pakistani national was killed at King Khalid International Airport, followed by another attack on a terminal that killed 13 people and forced its closure.

The Houthis claimed these strikes were in response to what they described as Saudi aggression against areas they control in western Yemen. The Houthi-run health ministry reported a child fatality and six injuries from a Saudi air strike in Sanaa. Meanwhile, a Saudi-led coalition continues to provide air support for pro-government forces battling the Houthis in Yemen's Red Sea region.

The conflict, which began in 2014 with the Houthis ousting the government, intensified in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the government's rule. Tensions flared again in July when the Houthis imposed a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia and launched missile and drone strikes against Saudi targets, including airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea.

The coalition's intervention came after the Houthis claimed a Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport, a claim the Yemeni government disputed, stating they were attempting to stop an unauthorized Iranian aircraft from landing. Earlier this month, the Houthis launched a surprise offensive along Yemen's southwestern Red Sea coast, ousting pro-government forces from areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis maintained they posed no threat to international shipping through the waterway but vowed to continue targeting Saudi vessels. This surge in hostilities contributed to a spike in global oil prices, as Saudi Arabia had been relying on the Red Sea for oil exports following the US and Israel's war with Iran, which had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The Yemeni government recently announced a new offensive to retake all territory held by the Houthis, with pro-government forces reportedly quickly recapturing areas around Bab al-Mandab with Saudi air strikes. However, the Houthis deny losing any territory.