Overview
- Houthi forces from Yemen have carried out deep missile and drone strikes inside Saudi Arabia, including an attack on Riyadh’s airport that sources report killed 13 people and wounded about 300.
- The airport strike and repeated launches forced flight suspensions, prompted embassy safety notices, and led major oil executives to stay away from a Riyadh conference.
- Houthi operations have moved toward the Bab el Mandeb and the Red Sea, creating a direct risk to Saudi oil shipments that use those chokepoints to reach global markets.
- Saudi leaders face a strategic choice between re-engaging militarily or building new regional security ties; Riyadh has sought support from Pact of La Mecque partners, Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE.
- Questions about long-standing U.S. security guarantees have grown after limited American re-engagement and public comments from President Trump that he could help without entering a new war, while analysts note the kingdom’s 2015–2022 campaign in Yemen left the southern border insecure.