Houthi missile strikes hit Saudi airports and oil facilities, prompting wider security concerns

Houthi missiles struck Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, killing 13 people, including a U.S. national, and injuring more than 300. The attack forced the closure of the airport, with over 99% of flights canceled, and a second terminal was hit the following day, resulting in one additional death.

The rebel group also targeted other Saudi airports, gas facilities and oil refineries, prompting the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh to advise citizens to stay away from the airport area. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned travelers that Saudi airports were "unsafe."

The strikes coincided with the opening of the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, an event that typically draws senior energy officials and CEOs from major oil companies. Some delegates were forced to travel overland from neighboring countries, while others, such as Italy’s energy minister, participated remotely. The Future Investment Initiative, Saudi Arabia’s flagship business forum, is scheduled to proceed later this month despite the security situation.

Saudi Arabia’s military responded with more than 120 airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa airport. Security analysts note the difficulty of defending a country the size of Saudi Arabia, which contains numerous soft targets such as airports, pipelines and urban infrastructure. Thomas Juneau, a security analyst at Ottawa University, said the Saudi military "has not distinguished itself in terms of military performance against the Houthis."

Experts attribute the Houthi’s improved strike capability to factors beyond new weapons systems. Wolf-Christian Paes, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, described the situation as "shocking" and suggested that "something must have gone horribly wrong" on the Saudi side.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called on the United States and other allies for defensive support. ARAMCO chief executive Amin Nasser said that no nation could protect its energy supplies alone. President Donald J. Trump said the United States "may" consider further assistance, adding that the administration would "look at it."

Analysts argue that a negotiated settlement with the Houthis, though difficult, might represent the least detrimental outcome for Saudi Arabia, which is also grappling with an economic slowdown and the strategic impact of the Iran-U.S. conflict on regional oil routes.