Houthi Strikes on Saudi Arabia Kill at Least 12 in Riyadh

Yemen's Houthi movement, which controls a large part of the country's northwest, has launched its largest series of attacks yet on Saudi Arabia in recent days. The targets included airports, facilities of the oil company Saudi Aramco and residential districts in the capital, Riyadh. The escalation threatens trade routes in the Red Sea and could push up fuel prices worldwide.

Impact of the attacks

The deadliest strike took place last Saturday, when an explosion at Riyadh's international airport killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. Since then, Houthi drones and bombs have been hitting Saudi Arabia almost daily. The authorities have halted air traffic, schools have moved to remote learning, and several international summits planned in Riyadh this week have been cancelled.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said ballistic and cruise missiles and drones were used, and promised more strikes deep inside Saudi territory. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said that in recent days 127 depots in mountainous areas and numerous launchers had been destroyed. Yemen's government army recently resumed an offensive, and Saudi Arabia has joined the operation.

Economic and diplomatic fallout

John Sfakianakis, an economist at a Gulf research centre, said the attacks will affect Saudi Arabia's image and tourism. In September the Houthis had already advanced toward the Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which a key trade route between Europe and Asia passes.

US President Donald Trump condemned the Houthis but was evasive about next steps. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Saudi Arabia had asked for help in keeping control of the strait. Turkey has pledged support for Riyadh, while Iran, the Houthis' main backer, is calling for talks. Yemen's civil war has lasted 12 years and has cost hundreds of thousands of lives.