The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have faced the country's economic plans with serious challenges. With airports closed and activities halted in the capital, these attacks have particularly impacted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious economic transformation plans.
New Challenges for Vision 2030
Over the past decade, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has pursued a bold goal by launching Vision 2030, which includes diversifying the economy and transforming the country into a hub for tourism and international investments. However, the recent Houthi attacks, especially targeting oil infrastructure and airports, have presented unprecedented challenges to this plan.
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According to analysts, this situation is particularly critical for Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. One analyst in this regard states: "The challenges that the Crown Prince is facing these days are unprecedented. He is simultaneously dealing with complex issues from Iran and the Houthis that have increased tensions in the country."
Economic and Security Consequences
The Houthi attacks on Riyadh International Airport on October 10 resulted in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to over 300, marking this incident as the deadliest attack in the country in over a decade. These attacks have not only had human impacts but have also raised concerns about Saudi Arabia's economic outlook.
Economic analysts predict that Saudi Arabia's economy may decline by 3.3%, contrary to previous growth forecasts of 1.7% in July. Additionally, the cancellation of major events such as the Future Investment Initiative, known as "Davos in the Desert," has put further pressure on the country's economic plans.
In the face of these challenges, Saudi Arabia has turned to international support from various countries, including France, Britain, Turkey, and Pakistan, but these countries are also reluctant to send military forces to Yemen. Meanwhile, the Houthis, relying on extensive weaponry obtained with Iranian support, are seeking to escalate tensions.
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