SAUDI Arabia is preparing for all possible scenarios following repeated Houthi attacks, while insisting daily life remains normal despite mounting security threats and disruption to air travel.
Saudi Information Minister Salman Al-Dosari said the kingdom’s heightened state of readiness reflected preparations for different eventualities rather than fear or anxiety.
“Alhamdulillah, life in the kingdom is proceeding as normal,” he said at a government press conference in Riyadh yesterday, according to Anadolu Ajansi, citing the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
“An increase in readiness does not mean anxiety, but rather reflects the country’s preparedness for various possibilities, regardless of the likelihood of their occurrence,” he said.
Riyadh has faced repeated Houthi attacks in recent days, including strikes on King Khalid International Airport over two consecutive days that forced operations to be temporarily suspended.
Despite the security concerns, the World Petroleum Congress opened in Riyadh on Sunday with broad international participation. Saudi Arabia is hosting the event for the first time, with the conference scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
Al-Dosari also highlighted the rapid transformation of the Saudi capital, particularly in transport, urban expansion and project development.
“Riyadh today is among the cities whose transformation is most clearly visible as you travel along its roads, through transport activity, urban expansion and the growth of projects, as well as its global position as a capital for business, investment and decision-making,” he said.
Five Saudi airports have been targeted in 10 Houthi attacks since Oct 5, killing 20 people and injuring hundreds, according to reports. The attacks have also caused property damage and disrupted air traffic.
The escalation comes amid rising military tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since July, including attacks on civil aviation facilities and energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis since March 2015. The group has controlled the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and several other areas since September 2014.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have threatened swift and forceful retaliation against the United States if Washington intervenes in the conflict in Yemen.
The warning came amid reports that Saudi Arabia had sought US assistance in responding to repeated Houthi attacks, including strikes on oil facilities and transport infrastructure.
Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti told AFP that the group would not hesitate to retaliate if the United States joined attacks against Yemen.
“If the US is involved in aggression against Yemen, we will not take time to consider the decision to retaliate; instead, a swift and painful response will target the US and all its interests in the region,” he said.
He also urged workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports to stay away from the sites, which he said the group now considered legitimate targets.
Tensions intensified following Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which reportedly killed 13 people and injured hundreds. The strike was described in reports as the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade.
US President Donald Trump said he was considering joining Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against the Houthis following the incident.
He condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and said he would discuss possible US military action with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The Houthis are behaving very badly. They are behaving very badly. Not good,” Trump said yesterday.
Separately, the Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Khamis Mushait, a city in southern Saudi Arabia that has previously been targeted in attacks on Saudi military bases. The Houthis also claimed to have launched a drone attack towards the base.
Operations at King Khalid International Airport remained suspended yesterday, while several airlines announced cancellations or delays affecting flights to Saudi Arabia.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia and urged both sides to de-escalate, warning that continued fighting would only deepen human suffering. - October 13, 2026
