Saudi Arabia Vows Response After Deadly Airport Attacks

Saudi Arabia has vowed a serious response to a series of deadly attacks on its airports, with the country’s energy minister saying the strikes have tested its infrastructure, institutions and resilience.

Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman made the remarks on Monday at an energy conference in Riyadh following attacks blamed on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

“The events of recent weeks are serious, our response must be equally serious,” he said, adding that the attacks had tested Saudi Arabia’s “infrastructure, our institutions, our people, and our resilience,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh have killed 18 people since last week, including 13 in Saturday’s strike, four in earlier attacks and one on Sunday. Hundreds of people were also injured, while airport operations remained suspended on Monday.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for several attacks and threatened to continue targeting Saudi transport hubs.

Saudi authorities also reported fresh missile and drone threats on Monday, while the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile heading towards the southern city of Khamis Mushait.

The attacks have disrupted air travel and heightened security concerns in the kingdom, a major oil exporter that has been seeking foreign investment as part of its economic development plans.

Saudi Arabia has also intensified airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The escalation is taking place amid wider regional conflict involving the United States and Iran.

The United Arab Emirates on Monday called for renewed joint Gulf security and defence cooperation, warning that attacks on Saudi Arabia threatened the security of the wider region.

Iran, which backs the Houthis, offered to help facilitate dialogue between the parties.