Saudi Arabia spends billions on its military. Why can't it stop deadly attacks by Iran's Houthi allies?

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1. 1h ago

   Saudi Air Defenses Exposed by Houthi Strikes

   Despite multi-billion dollar military expenditures on advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, and sophisticated technology, Saudi Arabia continues to struggle against drone and missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces. Recent strikes have targeted key Saudi energy and airport sites, including Aramco facilities, the Saudi defense ministry, Dammam airport, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Experts point to geography, interceptor shortages, and evolving Houthi tactics as primary drivers behind the kingdom's persistent defense vulnerabilities, which have forced Riyadh to turn to international allies for assistance.

   Why it matters

   Decades of religious competition, political interference, and a failed military intervention transformed a local Yemeni movement into an asymmetric regional power capable of threatening critical infrastructure. These ongoing assaults affect Gulf bourses and global energy supplies, presenting a significant challenge to Saudi leadership and regional stability. As the conflict strains the kingdom, the United States weighs whether its own military should strike Yemen directly.

   What is confirmed

   • Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, and sophisticated military technology.
   • Yemen's Houthis claimed attacks on the Saudi defense ministry, Aramco facilities, and Dammam airport.
   • Recent Houthi missile and drone strikes targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
   • Experts attribute Saudi defense challenges to geography, interceptor shortages, and evolving Houthi tactics.
   • Houthi attacks on Saudi sites have claimed four more lives.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Donald Trump is weighing whether the U.S. military should strike Yemen directly.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions by the United States on whether to conduct direct military strikes in Yemen.
   • Further international air defense support deployments to assist Saudi Arabia.
   • Developments regarding regional energy supplies and Gulf bourses response.
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   2. WSJ — Saudi Arabia’s Military Limitations Are Being Exposed by Houthi Attacks
   3. The Economist — Everything is going wrong for Muhammad bin Salman
   4. Vox — How the Iran war is ruining Saudi Arabia’s plans
   5. Bloomberg.com — Why the Houthis Are So Hard to Defeat
   6. Reuters — Most Gulf bourses in red after Houthis claim attacks on Saudi energy, airport sites
   7. transcripts.cnn.com — Russia Ramps Up Attacks On Ukraine, Striking Kyiv; Italian Government To Deploy 500 Troops To Milan After Unrest; French Governmen....
   8. www.foxnews.com — Saudi Arabia turns to allies as Houthi strikes expose air ...
   9. CBS News — Saudi Arabia spends billions on its military. Why can't it stop deadly attacks by Iran's Houthi allies?
   10. www.cbsnews.com — Saudi Arabia spends billions on its military. Why can't it ...
   11. www.ynetnews.com — Why Saudi Arabia helped create its worst Houthi nightmare - ynetglobal
   12. Yahoo — From mountain fighters to 'regional power': the rise of Yemen's Houthis
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