Trump weighs joining the fight against Houthis after Saudi capital’s airport is struck again
Riyadh Airport Strike Raises Pressure on Saudi Defenses and U.S. Policy
Bharatmorningnews.com – Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was struck on Saturday, intensifying a wave of attacks against Saudi Arabia as fighting with Yemen’s Houthi rebels expands alongside the wider Iran conflict. The latest incident hit a terminal complex used for domestic travel and left many people injured, while authorities suspended airport activity and redirected flights.
The attack came after earlier Houthi operations against the airport this week that killed three Saudi nationals, including a pilot. A regional official said Saturday’s missile hit the area containing terminals 3 and 4. Saudi civil aviation officials said they were assessing both the damage and the number of casualties.
With the kingdom facing repeated missile and drone threats, President Donald Trump said the United States was considering whether to take part in Saudi military action against the Tehran-backed Houthis in neighboring Yemen.
“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump said. “We just found out about the recent attack. So we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly.”
Airport operations halted
An official notice for pilots said the Riyadh airport closure would remain in effect through midnight. Security was visibly tightened around the facility, where police blocked entrances and lighting around the airport complex was reduced.
Flight-tracking services showed aircraft being diverted to other destinations. The United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada advised their citizens to stay away from the airport as conditions remained uncertain.
At least 291 flights had been canceled at King Khalid International Airport during the preceding 24 hours, FlightAware data showed. Even before Saturday’s strike, several airlines had suspended or adjusted service to Riyadh and other Saudi airports. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among carriers taking temporary action.
European aviation authorities had already broadened their guidance for Saudi airspace. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency pointed to the Houthis’ demonstrated ability to reach targets far inside the kingdom, including the capital, as well as an increased emphasis on aviation infrastructure. Missile launches, drone operations and air-defense interceptions can all create hazards for civilian aviation.
A new front in the regional conflict
The attacks have increased since a Saudi-led coalition began a major offensive against Houthi forces. The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other areas, have accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport. There was no immediate public statement from the rebel movement about Saturday’s attack in Riyadh.
Fighting has also intensified along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Saudi-backed government forces, supported from the air by the coalition, are attempting to reverse recent Houthi advances. Those gains gave the rebels stronger ability to monitor maritime traffic on a route seen as an important alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has attacked ships.
The Houthis have said their maritime operations are directed at Saudi shipping as part of a response to a blockade imposed on them. But the prospect of a broader campaign against commercial traffic remains a concern. After the Gaza war began, the group previously attacked other vessels while describing its actions as support for Palestinians. A U.S. bombing campaign later curtailed those attacks significantly.
For Saudi Arabia, the pressure is not limited to airports. Recent strikes have also targeted military sites, oil infrastructure and other facilities. As the world’s largest oil exporter, the kingdom occupies a central role in global energy markets, meaning disruption to its transport or production systems can unsettle markets far beyond the region.
Despite the latest strike, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry continued promoting a major international energy conference scheduled to begin in Riyadh on Sunday. The contrast underscored the government’s effort to maintain major commercial activity even as security conditions deteriorate.
Air-defense shortages add to concern
Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has sought air-defense assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt. U.S. interceptor supplies have also diminished during the war with Iran, adding to concern over how long regional air-defense systems can sustain a high operational tempo.
American assistance to the Saudi campaign has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning support for the newest offensive against the Houthis. A decision by Washington to join Saudi strikes directly would represent a significant escalation in the U.S. role.
Saudi authorities have also urged the public not to circulate images or information related to missile and drone defenses or impact locations.
“Filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability.”
The Houthi movement separately warned international airlines “for the last time” about operating in Saudi airspace, which it characterized as part of its military theater. That warning, combined with repeated strikes on Riyadh and other Saudi locations, has made commercial aviation a central concern in an already volatile regional confrontation.
Diplomatic efforts continue
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister spoke by telephone on Saturday with Oman’s foreign minister. The two discussed the importance of supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions. Oman, located across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has at times served as a mediator in regional disputes.
Those diplomatic contacts highlight the competing pressures now facing governments in the region: strengthening defenses and conducting military operations while seeking to prevent the conflict from widening further. For travelers, airlines and energy markets, the immediate consequence is a growing level of uncertainty centered on Saudi airspace, regional shipping lanes and the possibility of a larger U.S. military role.
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