Houthi missiles strike Saudi airports: How are they getting through?
Part of composite article Houthi Missiles Kill 17 and Shut Riyadh Airport for a Week as $100B Defenses Fail View full article →
Iran-backed Houthi forces are attacking airports in Saudi Arabia. The strikes come as Yemen's government, supported by Riyadh, launches a counteroffensive.
The attacks raise a serious question: how are Houthi missiles reaching their targets? Saudi Arabia has spent billions on air defenses.
The Houthis are a political and armed group that took control of Yemen's capital in 2014. Iran provides them with weapons and funding, according to Western and Saudi officials.
The conflict has become a regional proxy war. Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition backing Yemen's government. The Houthis fight alongside Iranian support.
Airport attacks threaten both civilian travel and military operations. They also signal that Houthi strike capabilities remain intact despite years of bombing.
Officials have not explained how the missiles evade interception. Analysts point to possible gaps in radar coverage and the use of low-flying drones.
The fighting shows no sign of slowing.