Saudi Arabia intercepted more ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthis, a sign the confrontation with the Iran-backed militant group is far from subsiding.
The Houthis targeted Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, near the Yemeni border, late Monday, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he spoke to the Saudi crown prince following the weekend attacks. The US is already assisting Riyadh with intelligence, targeting and aerial refueling. Riyadh has been in conflict with Houthi militants ever since they took control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and forced the internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia to resign the following year.
US aviation authorities cautioned against flying to or over parts of Saudi Arabia, while the American embassy said US government employees must get special authorization to use any of the airports in the country. He earlier said he was considering joining in the fight against the Iran-backed militant group. But even direct involvement would likely fail to deter Houthi attacks on the kingdom, according to Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who earlier worked at the State Department advising US administrations on Middle East policy. Saudi Media Minister Salman Al-Dosary called for national solidarity to protect the kingdom from the Houthi attacks, according to state-run Saudi Press Agency.
The Houthi strikes come at a particularly sensitive time for the kingdom, as it prepares to host high profile international events. Some business executives have declined to attend the World Petroleum Congress taking place in the capital this week. Misk Global Forum, which was scheduled for next month, was canceled by the organizers.
