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Key developments: In the past week Iran‑backed Houthi forces have hit Saudi Arabia’s main hub, King Khalid International Airport, twice, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds. The first attack was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, and a second strike hit the same terminal a day later, prompting the airport’s closure. The militants have also targeted other Saudi airports, military sites and oil facilities, intensifying a campaign that followed a Saudi‑led coalition offensive against the Houthis.
Why it matters: The attacks threaten the Kingdom’s vital air‑travel and energy infrastructure, disrupting global oil shipments that flow through the region’s key transit routes. Saudi Arabia’s limited options in responding to the Houthi onslaught heighten the risk of further escalation, potentially drawing more regional powers into the conflict and impacting global energy markets.
What to watch next: Monitor Saudi military and diplomatic responses, including possible retaliatory strikes or calls for international mediation. Keep an eye on oil price movements and any disruptions to flight schedules from Riyadh. Follow reports on whether the Houthis expand their targeting to other critical infrastructure, which could further destabilize the Gulf region. [[1, 2, 3, 4]]