Saudi Arabia Weighs Response After Houthi Riyadh Airport Attack

Saudi Arabia is evaluating its response after Houthi rebels launched a deadly attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 300 as the kingdom faces pressure over how to counter escalating threats.

The strike followed a major Saudi offensive supporting Yemeni government forces fighting the Houthis, but the rebels maintained their positions and expanded attacks on Saudi territory, according to CNN.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Defense Minister Khaled bin Salman now face limited options after years of efforts to contain the Houthi movement through military action and negotiations.

"This threat has to be dealt with once and for all," said Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on Saudi politics.

Shihabi said Saudi Arabia's response will depend partly on the performance of Yemeni government troops, which are receiving extensive support from Saudi air power. The kingdom has largely avoided deploying large numbers of ground troops in Yemen.

"A lot will depend on the performance of the Yemeni government troops on the ground and Saudi is helping them extensively with air power," said Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on Saudi politics.

The Houthis have developed stronger military capabilities since emerging from a smaller religious movement, with Iranian backing cited by Yemen's government as a factor in their missile development.

"They’ve developed their warfare," said a southern Yemeni official who fought the Houthis for years.

The official added that the group has improved its attacks, persistence and intelligence capabilities, according to CNN. Yemen's armed forces spokesperson Majed al-Nazili said newer missiles use faster flight systems and thermal-tracking technology, though it remains unclear whether those weapons were used in the Riyadh attack.

Saudi Arabia has sought international support, with France, Britain and Pakistan committing assistance while Turkey considered further help, according to CNN. The United States has provided intelligence support through more than 100 military advisers under a newly formed joint command.

"Clearly, direct US involvement via air power would help because US aircraft can respond to US satellite intelligence more rapidly," said Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on Saudi politics.

Shihabi said Saudi aircraft are one step removed from that intelligence process and argued that US involvement would provide additional support. The kingdom's infrastructure remains vulnerable because of its large size and dependence on widely distributed facilities.

An American citizen was among those killed in the airport attack, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities. The incident came as US President Donald Trump considered whether Washington might take a larger role.

"The Saudis are good fighters," said US President Donald Trump. "But I think the attack was a terrible thing."

Trump made the comments after the strike when asked about the possibility of US participation in attacks against the Houthis.

"We may," said US President Donald Trump.

The Houthi campaign has become increasingly connected to wider regional tensions involving Iran and the United States, while Saudi Arabia continues to assess military and diplomatic options after the airport strike.