Saudi Arabia further suspends flights after latest deadly Houthi attack on airport

Saudi Arabia suspended flights to and from Riyadh’s main international airport through next Saturday after renewed Houthi missile attacks caused damage and killed one person. Gulf Air and Bahrain Air had already announced cancellations.

Saudi military officials said the Houthis also directed missiles at other Saudi cities on Monday. The attacks increase pressure on the country’s air defences, which must protect sites spread across a large area, including airports and energy facilities.

Riyadh continued hosting the 25th WPC Energy Conference, but some oil industry leaders stayed away or joined remotely. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said attacks on regional energy infrastructure could affect economies far beyond the region.

The attacks add to the strain on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Saudi Arabia seeks stability and pursues plans to reduce its reliance on oil. The country has been unable to bring lasting calm to Yemen, where conflict has persisted since 2014.

Iran’s foreign minister spoke with his Saudi counterpart about possible mediation. A Houthi political official said the group had turned down Saudi proposals for a one-month and then a two-week truce. The UN Security Council is expected to consider a resolution on Tuesday that would designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organisation.