Saudi Arabia has vowed a strong response after a series of deadly attacks blamed on Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Riyadh’s international airport, killing 18 people and raising fresh concerns about security in the region.
Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday that the attacks had tested the country’s infrastructure, institutions and people, but stressed that the government would respond firmly to the threats.
“Energy security can’t be taken for granted,” the minister said at an energy conference in Riyadh, as oil prices climbed above $105 per barrel.
He described the recent developments as serious and said Saudi Arabia’s response would reflect the scale of the attacks.
The strikes have shaken the world’s largest oil exporter at a time when the kingdom is pursuing an ambitious and costly economic reform programme designed to attract foreign investment and reduce its dependence on oil revenues.
Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport was the deadliest assault on Saudi soil in more than a decade. The strike killed 13 people and left hundreds injured, according to the report. Four other people were killed in attacks on Wednesday and Thursday, while another person died in a separate incident on Sunday.
Airport operations remained suspended on Monday as authorities dealt with the aftermath of the attacks at the sprawling facility on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Footage released by Saudi authorities showed Muslim pilgrims dressed in religious garments waiting in departure lounges before a sudden flash illuminated the building. Moments later, burning debris fell through the affected area, capturing the force and suddenness of the attack.
The latest violence comes as Yemen’s long running civil war intensifies amid wider regional tensions. A Saudi led military coalition has been supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Iran backed Houthis.
The conflict has flared again months into the confrontation between the United States and Iran, which has disrupted energy markets and deepened instability across the Middle East.
For Saudi Arabia, the attacks pose a serious security challenge, particularly as the country seeks to maintain investor confidence and protect critical infrastructure. The government’s promised response is likely to be closely watched as tensions continue to threaten regional stability and global energy supplies.
Prince Abdulaziz’s remarks underline Riyadh’s determination to defend its infrastructure and preserve energy security as the crisis unfolds.
