Saudi-Houthi Fighting Appears to Be Returning to 'All-Out War'; 3 Killed at Riyadh Airport and Elsewhere

Saudi Arabia has not identified who was behind the attack
Houthi military spokesman: "We attacked with missiles and drones"
A setback for Bin Salman ahead of major international events

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and a major airport in the south came under missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, killing three people and injuring more than 30. Observers say the armed conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, is once again escalating toward an all-out war.

A Houthi recruit stands with an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher slung over his shoulder in front of a large Palestinian flag at an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, in February 2024. Photo by EPA-Yonhap News.

According to foreign media outlets, including The New York Times (NYT), the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said on October 7 (local time) that Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport in the south had been attacked, leaving three people dead and 36 injured. At Abha Airport, two women were killed and 28 people were injured, while at King Khalid Airport, a Sudanese man was killed and eight people were injured.

The Saudi government did not identify those responsible for the attacks, but the Houthis claimed responsibility. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the group had attacked the two airports with missiles and drones.

The deaths at Saudi airports caused by Houthi attacks mark the first such fatalities in several years. In particular, this is reportedly the first time deaths resulting from a Houthi attack have been confirmed at an airport in the capital, Riyadh.

The attacks came as Yemen's government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a military operation to retake a strategic area along the Red Sea coast held by the Houthis. Farea Al-Muslimi, a Yemen expert at Chatham House in London, said, "Saudi Arabia is highly likely to respond far more aggressively than it has so far."

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis escalated in 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen's civil war. The war dragged on, killing hundreds of thousands through violence, famine and disease. Clashes subsided somewhat after a 2022 ceasefire, but fighting has recently intensified again.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, in 2017. AFP-Yonhap News.

Yemen's government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched an offensive this week to retake areas along the Red Sea coast held by the Houthis. According to the United Nations, about 200,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since early September, when fighting intensified.

On October 7, the Houthis also launched missiles and drones toward Aden Airport in the south, which is under the control of Yemen's government. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a missile north of the capital, Riyadh.

The Houthis have also been rapidly expanding their influence in the Red Sea in recent months. In July, they declared a blockade targeting Saudi oil shipments through the Red Sea and began attacking vessels. Then, in September, they seized Yemen's Red Sea coast in a surprise offensive, dealing a major blow to Yemen's government forces backed by Saudi Arabia.

The NYT noted that the attacks came at a sensitive time. Saudi Arabia is preparing to host several international events in Riyadh this month, including a major international investment forum led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prominent businesspeople and investors from around the world are expected to attend.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.