Saudi Arabia Suspends Flights Following Deadly Houthi Missile Attacks

Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of all flights at its main international airport in Riyadh until October 17. This decision comes after a series of dangerous missile and drone attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen, which have caused significant damage and loss of life. According to The Guardian, the most recent weekend attacks resulted in 13 deaths and left more than 300 people injured. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that the total death toll from these strikes has since risen to 14.

The situation remains critical as Saudi officials work to understand how these weapons managed to bypass the country’s air defense systems. These systems are designed to intercept—or stop in mid-air—incoming missiles before they hit their targets. According to reports cited by DW, the Houthis used a combination of drones to distract defenses, followed by advanced cruise and ballistic missiles. These weapons are capable of traveling over 1,000 kilometers and can change direction during flight, making them very difficult to stop.

The impact of these attacks extends far beyond the airport. The Houthis have also targeted other cities, including Dammam and Khamis Mushait, and have specifically threatened oil facilities. In response to the growing danger, major airlines such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, Gulf Air, and Bahrain Air have canceled flights to and from Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities have advised office workers and schoolchildren to stay home for their safety.

Despite the violence, Saudi Arabia attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy by continuing with the 25th WPC Energy Conference in Riyadh. However, the event was marked by the absence of several senior oil executives. Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman addressed the conference, stating that the kingdom remains resilient. He emphasized that "fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon," though he acknowledged that energy security cannot be taken for granted. Amin Nasser, the CEO of Aramco, noted that while Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in protection, no single nation can fully safeguard such vast energy infrastructure alone.

The attacks have caused immediate ripples in the global economy. According to DW, global oil prices rose by approximately 2% on Monday. Markets are fearful that if these attacks continue, the supply of oil could decrease, which would affect economies worldwide. This comes at a difficult time as the world already faces energy challenges due to other ongoing global conflicts.

There is also growing concern regarding the potential for a wider regional war. US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is considering possible US military action in response to the attacks. This prospect has drawn a sharp warning from the Houthis. Mohammed Al Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political bureau, told AFP that any US involvement would be met with a "painful response" targeting American interests in the region. He also warned all workers at Saudi airports and oil facilities to stay away from these sites, labeling them as legitimate targets.

The crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen in public since last week, highlighting the immense pressure he faces to find a solution to the conflict. The war in Yemen has been a persistent challenge for his leadership since 2014. Saudi Arabia is currently trying to move its economy away from total dependence on oil, but the ongoing instability in the region makes this goal much harder to achieve.

As the investigation into the failure of the air defenses continues, the Saudi-led coalition remains engaged in fighting within Yemen, particularly around the city of Taiz. For now, the region remains on high alert. The combination of civilian casualties, the suspension of international travel, and the threat to global energy supplies has created a volatile situation. With the Houthis vowing to continue their attacks on airports across the country, both Saudi officials and the international community are bracing for what might happen next.