Saudi Arabia Under Attack as Houthis Strike, US Withholds Aid

Saudi Arabia experienced its most severe Houthi attack to date over the weekend, targeting King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh. The assault resulted in 12 fatalities and 309 injuries, with fears of a significant increase in the death toll due to the severity of the wounds. This escalation, which included three attacks in a single week, prompted Riyadh to move schools and universities to remote learning and issue warnings to European and US citizens to avoid sensitive areas. Saudi embassies have begun assisting citizens stranded abroad.

In response to the growing threat from the Iran-backed rebels, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman twice requested military assistance from the United States in one day. However, President Donald Trump declined to intervene, stating he was not involved with the Houthis and had no intention of attacking Iran before the US midterm elections, despite his advisors' awareness of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps involvement in Yemen. Currently, Saudi Arabia receives only intelligence support, mediated by the US.

Saudi Arabia's new allies have also struggled to provide effective support. Pakistan, which had pledged to defend Saudi Arabia two days prior to the attack, failed to intercept any missiles during the week. Turkey offered a hesitant commitment, and Britain conveyed a vague message without providing substantial military aid.

Despite a shared adversary in Iran, Crown Prince bin Salman has not sought assistance from Israel. Israeli security officials remain silent on the matter, largely due to a deep trust deficit with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stemming from an alleged leak of a secret meeting held in Neom six years ago. Nevertheless, covert contacts between the two nations have continued, including a recent meeting in Germany between seven Arab chiefs of staff and Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Riyadh has indicated that any political progress is contingent on an agreement with the Palestinians in the West Bank and is awaiting the results of the upcoming Israeli elections. A senior Riyadh official told Ynet last week that Crown Prince bin Salman would not engage in further "adventures" with Netanyahu, suggesting that a change in Israeli leadership could open a new chapter, while a Netanyahu victory would create further problems.