Saudi Arabia has threatened decisive military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels following an attack on Riyadh’s international airport that left at least 12 people dead and more than 300 others injured.
The Saudi government issued the warning on Sunday, a day after the strike brought the escalating Middle East conflict to the kingdom’s capital, raising concerns about a wider regional confrontation.
According to The Washington Post, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a warning to airlines against operating flights to Saudi airports, describing the facilities as potential targets.
The threat against commercial aviation has heightened concerns about the safety of air travel and the potential disruption of regional transport as hostilities intensify.
Saudi Arabia’s pledge to respond decisively suggests that the kingdom could take further action against the rebels following the deadly incident.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump said he was weighing the possibility of joining military strikes against the Houthis, potentially widening Washington’s involvement in the conflict.
The latest attack comes amid growing regional instability involving Iran and its allies, with the prospect of additional military action threatening to draw more countries into the confrontation.
Although the full implications of the Riyadh airport strike remain uncertain, the Saudi government’s warning, the Houthis’ threat against airports and Trump’s consideration of military intervention point to the risk of a further escalation across the Middle East.