Why Houthi Missiles Are Breaking Through Saudi Arabia's Air Defences
Attacks by the Houthis in Yemen targeting Saudi Arabian territory hit Riyadh's King Khalid Airport, resulting in numerous casualties.
Yemeni Houthis are targeting the interior of Saudi Arabia using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Twelve people lost their lives and 309 others were injured in the attack on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh.
Deadly Attack on the Airport
Yemeni Houthis have repeatedly targeted Riyadh's King Khalid Airport since a new military campaign began in September. Saturday's attack on the airport was recorded as the deadliest incident in the kingdom in over a decade.
Following the attack, the civil aviation authority suspended operations and diverted all flights, while the US and the UK issued travel warnings for their citizens. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for other attacks earlier in the week.
Expanding Arsenal and Tactics
Since capturing Sanaa in September 2014, the Houthis' arsenal has grown significantly. Drones and missiles reach as far as Israel, while directly targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities.
The Iran-backed group uses combinations of drones and missiles with varying speeds to confuse air defence systems. The group possesses medium-range ballistic missiles such as Palestine-2 and Toufan, as well as short-range missiles of the Burkan and Badr series.
Limits of Air Defence Systems
Although Saudi Arabia possesses advanced air defence systems and targets Houthi positions in Yemen, it failed to stop the projectile that hit King Khalid Airport.
Analysts point out that such infiltrations can occasionally occur due to the country's vast geographic size, the large border with Yemen, and limited stockpiles of interceptors such as Patriot and THAAD munitions.