Saudi Arabia Attack: Concern about security has once again increased in Saudi Arabia. Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted two major airports in the country. Two people were killed, while 36 people were injured in the attacks on Abha Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The injured have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority has not held any party directly responsible for these attacks. However, Houthi rebels had already claimed responsibility for the attacks. According to officials, citizens of Morocco and Algeria were killed in the attack on Abha airport, while 28 people were injured. At the same time, a Sudanese citizen was killed and eight other people were injured in the attack on King Khalid International Airport.
Missile threat looms over Riyadh again
Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, said the army intercepted a ballistic missile in mid-air north of Riyadh, adding that a launch site in Yemen’s capital Sanaa that was used to attack the Saudi capital was also destroyed.
Concern about the safety of sea routes
After the incidents targeting Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has also increased the security of its oil assets. A new cage-like security fence has been installed around the fuel tanks and other equipment of state oil company Aramco near the capital’s airport.
In recent times, oil and military assets have been targeted in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s major oil exporting countries. This has also increased concerns about the security of the important alternative sea route to the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime traffic in the region has already been affected due to the conflict with Iran.
Retaliatory action against Houthis intensified
After the attacks, Saudi Arabia and its ally Yemeni forces have launched a major operation against the Houthi rebels by land and air. Its aim is to regain control of areas near Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which the rebels captured about a month ago.
These areas gave the Houthi rebels the strategic advantage of better monitoring maritime activities. It is alleged that from these bases they were trying to stop the movement of ships belonging to Saudi Arabia. The latest attack and subsequent retaliation have further increased tension in the entire region.