How a series of miscalculations restarted Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   Houthi Attacks Restart Saudi Arabia War in Yemen

   Drones and missiles launched from Yemen by Iran-allied Houthi militants are slamming into Saudi cities, leaving three people dead after an attack on Riyadh Airport. The violence shatters Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's plans to turn his kingdom into a global magnet for investment, tourism, and sporting events, drawing Riyadh back into regional turmoil. Despite spending tens of billions of dollars on defense annually, Saudi Arabia struggles to protect critical assets including airports, refineries, and pipelines from incoming aerial strikes, facing its toughest moment and deadliest attack in more than a decade.

   Why it matters

   Saudi Arabia faces limited options in responding to the renewed conflict as the Houthi campaign targets the heart of the kingdom's ambitions amid a wider war involving Iran. The attacks threaten the security architecture of the region and could dictate the timing of wider military actions against Iran. Analysts report that Riyadh is running low on viable strategies to halt the strikes while maintaining its economic diversification goals.

   What is confirmed

   • Houthi attacks on Riyadh Airport left three dead, according to Saudi Arabia.
   • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aimed to make his kingdom a magnet for investment, tourism, and sporting events.
   • Saudi Arabia spends tens of billions of dollars on defense every year but struggles to protect key assets like airports, refineries, and pipelines from Houthi missiles and drones.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A Saudi Arabia under attack could dictate the timing of a war against Iran.

   What to watch next

   • Official Saudi military or diplomatic responses to the airport attack
   • Further Houthi drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi cities or infrastructure
   • Potential escalations involving Iran-allied regional forces
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. editorial.rottentomatoes.com — 25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming
   2. Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Iranian media reports ‘massive explosions’ in Hormuz Strait
   3. The New York Times — Houthi Attacks on Riyadh Airport Leave 3 Dead, Saudi Arabia Says
   4. Semafor — View / Saudi Arabia faces its toughest moment of war
   5. Reuters — NEWSLETTER: The war's explosive new front
   6. CNN — How a series of miscalculations restarted Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen
   7. www.cnn.com — How a series of miscalculations restarted Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen
   8. Fox News — Trump says he stopped Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon and 'blowing up' Middle East
   9. The Washington Post — Saudi Arabia faces new level of peril in Houthi attacks, amid wider Iran war
   10. Haaretz — Analysis • A Saudi Arabia under attack could dictate the timing of a war against Iran
   11. Politico — Voters have ‘had enough’ of Mideast turmoil. But the Houthi conflict is just getting started.
   12. The New York Times — Saudi Arabia Has Few Options as Houthis Aim at Heart of Its Ambitions
   confidence 90%