Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Airport in Riyadh has been attacked, resulting in 12 deaths and over 300 injuries.
What happened
The Houthi rebels have increased their attacks on Saudi Arabian soil in recent weeks, targeting the country's critical infrastructure, including the capital's main airport. The attacks have raised concerns about the safety of the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime corridor.
The conflict between the Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, has been ongoing for over a decade, resulting in thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis. The latest escalation has been seen as part of a broader context of tension between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The Saudi government has faced significant threats in the past, including an al-Qaeda insurgency and Arab Spring uprisings, but the current situation is considered different due to the Houthi rebels' ability to target the Saudi economy. The US has provided intelligence support to the Saudis and deployed military experts to the country, but direct intervention is unlikely before the US midterm elections.
