Saudi Arabia’s energy minister revealed a policy of taking a “tough response” following Houthi attacks on airports. Amid casualties in a series of attacks, including one on a passenger terminal at Riyadh airport, regional tensions are deepening.
Yemen’s Houthis launched a series of attacks on airports and oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia. The passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked on the 11th, killing 1 Pakistani man. The previous day, a missile struck another terminal, killing 13 people and forcing part of the airport to close.
Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman (アブドルアジズ・ビン・サルマン) described the incident as “serious” at the WPC energy conference and said that an equally tough response would be necessary. While expressing his appreciation to officials who attended the conference despite the airport attacks, he indicated that energy security should not be taken for granted.
The Houthis claimed that the attacks were retaliation for Saudi aggression, saying they had targeted not only airports in Riyadh and Dammam but also oil and gas facilities in the east. The international community condemned the attacks, while coalition forces continued interceptions. Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways were among the airlines forced to temporarily suspend routes and change their flight paths.
Under these circumstances, the Houthis declared that they would continue responding to escalation with escalation and called on people to refrain from using airports and airspace in Saudi Arabia. The United Nations, meanwhile, said that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure could violate international law, heightening international concern.