Airport In Saudi Arabia Suspends Service After Houthi Attack: Report
Saudi Arabia has retaliated with strikes targeting Houthi positions.
National · 70 updates
Saudi Arabia has retaliated with strikes targeting Houthi positions.
An attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels late Thursday wounded 11 civilians in southern Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh-led coalition said, an unprecedented toll in the kingdom in over four years of hostilities.
Houthi forces are close to seizing control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, crucial for global shipping. This advance heightens concerns over trade security and energy supply chains around the world. India could experience rising costs and extended transit times for its goods. The Houthis are also enhancing their military capabilities, including integrating AI into weapons systems. This development poses new geopolitical challenges, especially for Pakistan and its defense alliances.
Pakistan voiced strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi attacks. These strikes threaten regional peace and could disrupt global energy supplies. Prime Minister Sharif discussed these issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The recent Houthi advances have also intensified concerns over Red Sea shipping routes. A mutual-defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye is now under renewed focus.
Mohammed bin Salman, has spent years trying to build ties with US
India condemns Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, flags Bab-el-Mandeb shipping risks
Recent attacks have also targeted oil infrastructure in the world's largest crude exporter.
Air strikes were reported by Houthi-aligned media on Houthi-held territories including Sanaa international airport. The Saudi-led coalition condemned an earlier attack that caused civilian casualties and incurred fatalities from different nationalities. Houthi spokesperson warned against the use of Saudi airspace by airlines, asserting their military strategy. The conflict between the two sides has escalated, leading to significant civilian impacts and suffering.
The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthis for Saturday's attack
Houthis also have leverage over maritime trade as Yemen lies near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Saudi Arabia has been facing a series of deadly drone and missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels
The MEA said attacks on Saudi airports have disrupted Indian carriers’ flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, with cancellations announced until October 17.
The world's top crude oil exporter has in recent days come under sustained attack.
A missile based on the Iranian design could travel up to 1,200 miles
A missile targeting Saudi Arabia's Medina region was intercepted by the Saudi-led coalition according to their spokesperson. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree refuted this claim, stating no operations were conducted towards Saudi territories. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a series of airstrikes from both the Houthis and coalition forces. Recent incidents include the destruction of a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh by the coalition.
Amid the raging battle against Saudi Arabia, the attack gains significance as the palace houses the internationally recognised government, which also has the firm backing of the Kingdom. The Houthis began attacking Saudi territory and blocking the Red Sea in solidarity with Iran, which has been continuously bombed by the US and Israel to dissuade the Islamic regime from enriching uranium to acquire nuclear weapons.
RIYADH, - The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that the country's Houthis had attempted to attack dozens of Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia intensified.The Houthis have been firing ballistic missiles and drones at key Saudi sites for a week, in response to the kingdom's backing of government forces in Yemen's renewed civil war. The coalition's latest statement highlighted the risk to Saudi civilian infrastructure as the conflict escalated.Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said at a press conference
An Indian national was killed in the attack on the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Houthi military spokesperson said Saudi airspace and airports were unsafe
Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Vipul on Thursday urged Indian nationals in the country to remain calm.
In response to the escalating conflict, Air India has halted all flights to and from Saudi Arabia until October 20. This decision aligns with similar suspensions by other carriers such as Air France-KLM and Gulf Air. Affected passengers will receive refunds, as the airline prioritizes safety amidst growing operational costs, further amplified by the ongoing turbulence in the Middle East that disrupts travel and markets alike.
Passengers affected by the cancellations are being offered a full refund, the airline said
The airline said it was closely monitoring developments in the region and assessing the situation to determine when safe operations could resume.
The Houthis possess a large range of ballistic missiles and drones.
“Riyadh's international airport remains closed to flight operations, while airports in Dammam, Jeddah and Medina continue to operate, although some disruptions persist,” the embassy said
The Houthi attacks have proliferated since September
Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that two vessels carrying Indian seafarers were attacked in October. The MT ST 3 was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, while the YARA J was hit by a drone off Romania. Fortunately, all 24 Indian nationals aboard both vessels are reported safe and unharmed. India has condemned attacks on commercial vessels, citing concerns for the safety of seafarers.
Iran said that Yemeni group acts according to its own interests.
Two projectiles struck the airport in Yemen's port city of Aden on Friday night.
The strategic advancement of Yemen's Houthi rebels in Taiz signals mounting challenges for the Saudi-led coalition-backed government. This ongoing conflict disrupts vital supply routes to Aden, exacerbating shortages of food and medical supplies for hundreds of thousands of civilians. The intensification of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure raises significant security concerns in the region, potentially complicating efforts to maintain essential maritime trade routes.
Iran's backing of Yemen's Houthi rebels has intensified, providing crucial intelligence and military guidance against Saudi Arabia. This partnership has evolved into a robust military collaboration involving advanced weaponry training, drone development, and missile production. Analysts emphasize that this Iranian support has significantly empowered the Houthis in their ongoing conflict. The increasing influence of Tehran raises substantial security concerns in the region, prompting regional leaders to reevaluate their strategies.
Earlier this week, IndiGo and Akasa Air had also announced the cancellation of their services to Saudi Arabian cities
The kingdom has faced sustained Houthi missile and drone attacks
Yemen’s government forces face mounting difficulties as they strive to sustain their offensive against Houthi rebels. Supply routes have been severely disrupted, leading to territorial setbacks and soaring fuel costs in areas they control. The fall of key locations like the Red Sea port of Mocha only complicates matters further. Additionally, internal rifts among competing factions hinder operational efficiency, while Saudi military assistance remains vital for campaign success.
After a four-year, uneasy truce, Yemen's conflict reignited in July and intensified when the Iran-backed group seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month.
People have been advised not to leave their homes or buildings until the threat has passed, stay away from open areas, windows and glass, and avoid standing on balconies or rooftops
Egypt announced its willingness to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia to ensure its security and stability. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi convened the National Defence Council to discuss potential support amid Houthi assaults. These attacks have targeted key infrastructure, including Riyadh’s international airport and Saudi Aramco. Egypt has previously supported Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni conflict, although its role has been limited.