After the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faces growing pressure to stop the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen from firing missiles and drones at his country. Analysts say he has few options. The prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, confronts an asymmetrical conflict with an adversary that has grown stronger since he led a disastrous war against it a decade ago.
The Houthis have carried out three fatal attacks on the international airport in Riyadh over the past week. A strike on a passenger terminal on Saturday killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, many critically, according to Saudi authorities. The attacks have brought the kingdom's war in Yemen home, eroding the sense of security Saudis and foreign residents had maintained through years of a Saudi-led bombing campaign. They also strike at Prince Mohammed's ambitions to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for business and tourism.
There is no easy way to halt the attacks. A political resolution has become harder to reach as the militia's confidence and demands grow, and a purely military defeat is unlikely, analysts say. The group has little to lose and has become battle-hardened after repeated clashes with wealthier enemies. Saudi Arabia receives significant U.S. military support, including targeting assistance and aerial refueling. President Trump said he would "make a decision" about intervening more forcefully, but offered no details. Last year his bombing campaign against the Houthis burned through munitions at a rate of about $1 billion in the first month alone.
Analyst F. Gregory Gause of the Middle East Institute said the only realistic solution lies in ending the broader Iran-American conflict, in which Washington would secure a Houthi commitment to end hostilities. Meanwhile, the kingdom is set to host major energy and investment events, and it is unclear whether global executives will feel safe enough to attend.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing