Featured image: A man is standing in an airport terminal. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
Saudi Arabia’s energy minister has vowed a ‘serious’ response to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on the kingdom’s airports and oil facilities. Source: bbc.co.uk.
What Happened
On Sunday, a Houthi missile struck a terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing a Pakistani man.
The same day, a separate attack on another terminal killed 13 people and forced the airport to close. Saudi authorities confirmed the incident.
The Houthis said they launched the attacks in retaliation for what they describe as ‘brutal Saudi aggression’ in western Yemen.
Key Facts
- Two attacks on Riyadh airport terminals occurred within two days.
- One attack killed 13 people; a second killed one person and injured 11.
- Earlier, a Saudi air strike hit a home in Sanaa, killing a child and injuring six others.
- The Houthis claim the strikes were in response to a Saudi blockade of their ports and airports.
A Saudi-led coalition has supported Yemeni pro-government forces in battles along the Red Sea coast.
Background: The Conflict
The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis ousted the government from Sanaa.
The conflict escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the government.
A four-year-old informal ceasefire began to unravel when the Houthis announced a ‘maritime embargo’ against Saudi Arabia and began missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea.
The Houthis say they are retaliating against a Saudi blockade of their ports and airports, and an air strike on Sanaa airport they blame on Saudi forces.
The Yemeni government claims it conducted the Sanaa strike to prevent an unauthorized Iranian plane from landing.
Why It Matters
The attacks mark a significant escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement.
They have raised concerns about regional stability and the safety of international air and oil infrastructure.
Earlier, the Houthis seized areas along the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key shipping route in the Red Sea, contributing to a surge in global oil prices.
These developments could impact global energy markets and regional security.
What to Watch Next
Pro-government forces in Yemen have launched a new offensive to retake territory lost to the Houthis.
They claim rapid progress with Saudi air support, though the Houthis deny losing any ground.
Further developments may include more attacks, diplomatic responses, or shifts in regional military posture.
For more on the Riyadh airport attacks and broader tensions, see our coverage: Riyadh Airport Attack: Escalation in Yemen-Saudi Tensions.
For the original report, visit the BBC: BBC News.
