Houthi strikes expose Saudi Arabia's vulnerabilities

The Gulf region has witnessed its deadliest week for civilians in recent history, signaling a significant turning point in the US-Iran war that has engulfed the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has intensified its strikes against Yemen's Houthis following the militant group's attacks on Riyadh's airport, resulting in 17 deaths and 333 injuries. Despite Riyadh's robust air defenses and substantial military expenditure, the Houthis have managed to evade the systems through the use of affordable drones and missiles.

The escalating conflict between Iran and its allies in the Gulf has fostered a sense of unity among regional authorities. This sentiment was reinforced during Friday prayer sermons in Kuwait, where imams were instructed to praise Saudi Arabia's support during Iraq's 1990 invasion and condemn the Houthis. Similar sentiments of support were also expressed in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.

While maintaining security remains the top priority, new projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have highlighted the war's profound economic impact. Jihad Azour, the fund's regional director, stated that the Gulf's financial reserves, diverse export routes, and government interventions have mitigated the shock. However, the IMF now anticipates a more severe contraction than initially projected, with the Gulf's GDP falling short of pre-war forecasts, even after energy production and trade recover.