Saudi Arabia's energy minister promised a serious response after Houthi attacks on Riyadh airports killed multiple people. International airlines suspended flights as the conflict escalated.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, has vowed a "serious" response to deadly attacks on the kingdom's airports and oil and gas facilities by Yemen's Houthi movement. Speaking at the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, the minister stated, "The events of recent weeks are serious. Our response must be equally serious."
The escalation follows a series of strikes on Saudi infrastructure. On Sunday, Saudi authorities said a Pakistani man was killed in an attack on a terminal at King Khalid International Airport in the capital. This occurred one day after a Houthi missile hit another terminal, killing 13 people and forcing its closure. According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the airport is expected to remain closed until Saturday.
Earlier in the week, three Saudis, including a pilot for the national airline Saudia, were killed in two strikes on an airport facility and an aircraft on the ground. The victims of Saturday's attack on Terminal 3 included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian, one Sudanese and one Indian.
The Saudi-led coalition reported that its forces intercepted a ballistic missile heading toward Khamis Mushait on Monday night. Additionally, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was attacked on Sunday evening, though no casualties were reported there.
The Houthis stated they launched the attacks in retaliation for "brutal Saudi aggression" against areas they control in western Yemen. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a video statement that forces had launched missiles and drones at Riyadh and Dammam's airports, as well as two oil and gas facilities in Eastern Province. Sarea claimed these actions were in response to 124 Saudi air strikes in Yemen over the previous 24 hours.
The conflict has disrupted regional travel. Qatar Airways announced it would temporarily suspend flights to Riyadh and Dammam. Etihad Airways cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam due to "regional disruption."
The attacks drew widespread condemnation. UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was "deeply shocked" and warned that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure were a violation of international law. US President Donald Trump said he would "make a decision" about the US joining Saudi Arabia's strikes on the Houthis. Reports indicate the US military is already providing intelligence and targeting support to the Saudi-led coalition.
Iran, which has repeatedly denied allegations that it provides weapons and training to the Houthis, expressed concern over the escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Saudi Arabia to pursue a diplomatic solution, stating that "Insisting on a military approach and disregarding a political solution would only further complicate the situation."
The seizure of areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait by Houthi forces has contributed to a surge in global oil prices. Saudi Arabia relies on the Red Sea for oil exports after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed by the US and Israel's war with Iran. The continued instability threatens global energy supplies and raises the risk of broader regional conflict.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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