Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles as Riyadh airport partly reopens

· Security · Saudi Arabia · Yemen

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted another wave of missiles and drones fired by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Sunday, and that Riyadh airport was partly reopening despite renewed threats against it. The Houthis renewed a warning against using the airport and claimed attacks on airports and energy sites. Fighting erupted after a years-long truce between the Houthis and Yemen's Riyadh-backed government fell apart. Yemeni forces intercepted Houthi weapons being smuggled from the coast, and the US ordered non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia. Pope Leo called for an end to the violence, voicing concern about the humanitarian situation in Taiz. The US is helping Saudi Arabia with AI-assisted targeting against the Houthis, experts cautioning that AI is no magic bullet.

Why it matters：Renewed Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure threaten regional energy supplies and shipping and risk drawing outside powers deeper into Yemen's war.

Key points

  • The Houthis renewed warnings against using Riyadh airport and claimed attacks on airports and energy sites.
  • The US ordered non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia.
  • Pope Leo called for an end to the violence, citing the humanitarian situation in Taiz.

Sources (original reporting)

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