Saudi Arabia's energy minister acknowledged that the kingdom's infrastructure and resilience had been tested, as he vowed a firm response following a wave of deadly attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The attacks over the weekend marked a sharp escalation in the conflict involving the Houthis, against whom Saudi Arabia has long supported Yemen's internationally recognised government.
On Sunday, a strike hit Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, killing one person, hours after an earlier attack on the site killed 13 people and wounded hundreds, forcing authorities to suspend operations. The attacks on Saudi Arabia, a regional powerhouse and the world's largest oil exporter, were the deadliest to hit the kingdom in a decade, despite its billions of dollars in military spending.
Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stated that the events had tested the nation's institutions and resilience, noting that energy security cannot be taken for granted and that the response must be equally serious. The Houthis claimed multiple attacks over the preceding 24 hours, including strikes on the airport, and threatened to continue targeting transit hubs.
Hours later, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said a projectile had struck King Khalid International Airport, sparking a fire, while air defences intercepted a missile nearby. Residents reported hearing multiple blasts across Riyadh. Authorities extended the suspension of airport operations as the city hosts a packed calendar of events, including its flagship investment conference.
The aviation authority also reported an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in the country's east. Additionally, the coalition stated it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards the southern city of Khamis Mushait.
Security analysts noted that despite extensive military spending, the sheer size of Saudi Arabia makes consistent defence against all missile and drone threats exceptionally difficult. The anti-Houthi coalition described Saturday's attack as a war crime and promised a decisive response, while Houthi media reported retaliatory Saudi strikes in Yemen's Sanaa governorate.
The strikes drew widespread international condemnation from global leaders, and several foreign embassies advised their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport. The civil aviation authority reported multiple civilian casualties of various nationalities, with hundreds more wounded as witnesses described scenes of chaos and bloodshed in the aftermath of the strikes.