Behind the recent Saudi-Houthi military escalation- Explainer
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- A Houthi missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport killed 13 people and wounded hundreds
- Recent Houthi advances near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait have heightened fears of disruption to global oil and energy supplies
- Yemeni backed-government forces launched a major push to regain control of vital coastal territory
A sharp escalation in fighting between Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi-backed government forces has broken a multi-year lull, bringing direct military strikes back to the heart of Saudi Arabia and raising global concerns over regional energy security.
The renewed conflict follows the collapse of a ceasefires after the Houthis seized key territory along Yemen’s south-western Red Sea coast in September.
The advance gave the Iran-backed Houthis virtual control over areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical choke point for global oil and maritime trade.
In response, Yemeni armed forces backed by Saudi Arabia air strikes launched a counteroffensive to regain control of the strategic coastline.
The Houthis retaliated by launching barrage attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting Saudi military bases, oil refineries, and civil infrastructure.
The escalation reached a critical peak over October 10–11 with consecutive strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. On Saturday, October 10, a Houthi missile hit a terminal area, leaving 12 people dead and hundreds injured in the deadliest attack inside the kingdom in more than a decade. A second attack followed on Sunday, October 11, killing one person and injuring 11 others.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated “the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a high-quality military operation targeting Aramco in Dhahran, in the Eastern Province, King Khalid International Airport, and the Aramco refinery in Riyadh.”
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman told the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh that: "The events of recent weeks are serious. Our response must be equally serious."
While Saudi air defense systems have intercepted numerous incoming projectiles, analysts note that the vast geographical area makes comprehensive coverage challenging against evolving missile and drone technologies.
The Houthis state that their attacks are guided by "reciprocal response" to ongoing air strikes on Houthi-controlled regions, warning that strikes will continue unless military action against them ceases.
Meanwhile, tensions across the region have escalated sharply in recent days, marked by intensified military exchanges, renewed strikes targeting key infrastructure, and growing disruptions to international shipping lanes.
