Why Saudi Arabia can't stop Houthi missile attacks

Oct 14, 2026

Houthi missiles and drones are now hitting Saudi airports and killing civilians, a dangerous turn for the kingdom and a sign its expensive air defenses are failing.

  • A Houthi ballistic missile hit a passenger terminal at Riyadh's main airport, killing 13 and wounding over 300 — the deadliest attack on Saudi civilians in a decade.
  • The Houthis say the strikes are payback for Saudi air raids in Yemen, where they claim dozens of women and children have been killed since early September.
  • Cheap drones and missiles are beating multi-million-dollar US-made interceptors, and Saudi Arabia has burned through most of its stockpile with replacements not due until 2028.
  • Saudi forces are stretched thin flying strikes over Yemen while trying to guard a huge country with too many targets and too few defenses.
  • The Houthis have openly said they want to topple Mohammed bin Salman, who is now moving between guarded palaces out of fear of assassination.

Outlook: Expect more strikes on Saudi cities, airports and oil sites, with the kingdom stuck between pulling back from Yemen or absorbing deeper damage at home.

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