Houthi missile attack targets Saudi capital Riyadh for third consecutive day

Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, with the Houthi group claiming they targeted the airport. The Houthis stated that the airport in Riyadh was attacked late on Monday, following prior assaults on King Khalid International Airport that resulted in 14 fatalities and hundreds of injuries over the previous two days. Saudi military spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed that air defense systems successfully downed the missile fired from Yemen, but did not specify the intended target. Residents of Riyadh reported hearing several powerful explosions on Monday night, shortly after receiving a text alert about an aerial threat. This ongoing conflict presents a significant security challenge for Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil exporter, as it seeks to attract investment and diversify its economy amid escalating regional warfare. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree indicated that the group also attacked the Khamis Mushait airbase near the Yemeni border with a drone, which the Saudi military claimed was intercepted by air defenses. In response to the ongoing Houthi attacks, Saudi authorities extended the closure of Riyadh's international airport until Saturday, leading airlines to cancel flights. The airport has been closed since a Saturday attack that killed 13 and injured over 300, marking the deadliest incident in the kingdom in more than a decade. Another attack on Sunday resulted in one death and nearly a dozen injuries. Saudi Arabia has initiated an investigation to understand the failure of its air defense systems to intercept the recent missile and drone barrage, as reported by two regional officials. The initial findings suggest that the Houthis launched multiple drones to facilitate the subsequent missile attacks on Riyadh's airport. The Houthis possess ballistic missiles and advanced systems capable of maneuvering during flight, which complicates interception efforts by Saudi defense systems. One official noted that the investigation will also seek to determine why there was no early warning of the attack, which involved missiles and drones traveling over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) to reach Riyadh. US President Donald Trump criticized the Houthis for their escalating actions but did not indicate any plans for US intervention. Trump remarked, "Well, the Houthis are misbehaving very badly. No good," when asked about the situation. The escalation in hostilities has raised concerns regarding the broader economic implications. Saudi Arabia's real gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to contract by 3.6 percent this year due to various factors, including reduced oil activity. The attacks have also affected scheduled events in Riyadh, such as the kingdom's flagship investment conference and the WPC Energy Congress, resulting in the removal of several top oil executives from the program. Delta Airlines announced on Monday that it would postpone the launch of its planned nonstop Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027 due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.