Houthis Target Saudi Arabia with Missile Strikes, Flights Disrupted

RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi forces intensified their military campaign against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, launching missile attacks aimed at crippling the kingdom’s airspace and oil infrastructure. The strikes resulted in significant disruptions to air travel, damaging a kindergarten and a medical complex in the vicinity.

In response to the escalating threats, major airlines Lufthansa and Air India announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh. This decision follows the Houthis’ claim of a third missile attack on King Khalid International Airport, prompting a wave of cancellations. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that nearly 50% of departures from the airport were cancelled by 1500 GMT, with additional cancellations expected on Friday.

The implications of these attacks extend beyond immediate safety concerns, as they threaten to destabilize the already fragile regional security landscape. The disruption of air travel not only affects tourism and business but also raises questions about the effectiveness of international diplomatic efforts to mediate the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Looking ahead, discussions among Saudi allies are expected to intensify regarding their potential involvement in the Yemen conflict, particularly in light of statements from Pakistani officials asserting that existing agreements do not preclude military action. Meanwhile, Turkey has characterized the recent accords as purely defensive, ruling out troop deployments, while Syria contemplates its own military response.