World · Middle East · 8 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia reportedly low on missiles to intercept Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia is facing repeated missile and drone attacks from the Houthi movement in Yemen.
A missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to the account of the attack.
Saudi officials were cited as saying the country is running low on interceptor missiles, which are used to stop incoming attacks.
Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally backed government, while Iran backs the Houthis.
The conflict has intensified since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and the fighting has spread across the region.
The attacks threaten airports and other critical infrastructure, while Saudi Arabia must defend sites across a very large country.
Saudi authorities say they are fending off attacks, and Iran has offered to mediate; no further outcome is stated.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly running low on interceptor missiles as it faces ongoing Houthi missile and drone attacks.
The Wall Street Journal report, cited by the Times of Israel, said Saudi officials described the kingdom as struggling to cover its territory with air defenses.
The report followed strikes on Riyadh’s international airport that killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to the Times of Israel.
Saudi authorities said they were fending off drone and missile attacks after a weekend confrontation with the Houthi militia, the New York Times reported.
Analysts said Saudi Arabia must defend a large area and many critical sites, while the Houthis can achieve their aims with occasional hits.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen.
- What
- Saudi Arabia is reportedly low on interceptor missiles as it faces Houthi attacks.
- When
- The reports were published on October 12, 2026; the attacks were reported over the preceding weekend and on Sunday and Monday.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh’s international airport.
- Why
- Analysts said the Houthis are targeting Saudi infrastructure amid the Yemen conflict and want to raise the cost of peace.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran, triggering an ongoing conflict that the Times of Israel said spread across the region.
Houthi supporters protested against Saudi intervention in Yemen in Sanaa.
Saudi authorities said they were fending off drone and missile attacks after a confrontation with the Houthi militia.
The Times of Israel published footage of a Houthi attack striking King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The Times of Israel and the New York Times published reports on Saudi Arabia’s air defenses and the attacks.
- Reported missile deaths
- At least 12 people killed at Riyadh’s international airport
- Reported injuries
- More than 300 people injured
- Saudi territory
- Around 2.2 million square kilometers, according to Andreas Krieg
- Saudi air defense sites
- Riyadh, airports, oil facilities, military bases, holy cities and other critical infrastructure
- Report on interceptor stocks
- The Wall Street Journal cited Saudi officials, according to the Times of Israel
What people are saying
even a layered system combining Patriot, THAAD, fighter aircraft and other sensors cannot create an impermeable dome over a country the size of Saudi Arabia
to do to Saudi Arabia what Saudi Arabia does to them
the price of peace keeps on going up
Posts on X
Al Arabiya shows footage of the moment yesterday’s Houthi attack struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, including Umrah pilgrims preparing to board their flights before the strike.
Sources
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