The Houthi attacks in Yemen on Riyadh International Airport on Saturday claimed the lives of 13 people and injured hundreds. These attacks are recognized as the largest escalation in the campaign against Saudi airports, oil facilities, and ships in recent weeks.
Global Consequences of the Attacks
Although this violence may initially seem confined to the Arabian Peninsula, it could have global repercussions, potentially increasing fuel prices and, consequently, global inflation.
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The Houthis had initially withdrawn from the conflicts arising from U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran this year, but last month they seized control of key areas and virtually took control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital route for oil and gas exports from the region.
Challenges for Saudi Arabia
Yemeni government forces and local allies launched a large-scale counteroffensive last week to drive the Houthis out of Bab al-Mandab and also strike other Houthi positions. Saudi Arabia has become the primary target of the Houthis due to its support for the UN-backed Yemeni government. The attacks on significant targets such as oil infrastructure and airports clearly illustrate the strategic costs of Riyadh's choices.
These attacks also benefit Iran, which has long supported the Houthis as part of the "Axis of Resistance." The new Houthi threat to the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia again highlights the significant impact Tehran and its allies can have on global oil and gas supply.
The recent attacks on Saudi Arabia have been the deadliest in the country in the past decade and have caused one of the most significant disruptions to Saudi civil aviation in recent years. These attacks have led airlines from Europe and Asia to suspend their services, and businesses in Riyadh's financial center have asked employees to work remotely.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments in militarization, but the Houthi attacks are not easily halted. This is while there are no signs of an end to hostilities between Iran and the United States, which is the main factor behind the increase in violence in Yemen.
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