Houthi missile attacks on Riyadh disrupt flights and offices

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels intensified their missile campaign against Saudi Arabia's capital on Thursday, claiming a ballistic missile strike on Riyadh's airport that disrupted flights and prompted office workers to stay home. The attack escalates a renewed conflict tied to the US-Iran rivalry. The Houthis reiterated threats to close Saudi airspace in response to the kingdom's support for Yemen's internationally recognized government. Saudi-backed forces launched a counter-offensive this week, but the rebels have advanced, besieging Taiz and seizing Red Sea coast territory, displacing 200,000 people since the ceasefire broke down. Saudi Arabia has sought support from allies, including Turkey and Pakistan, while Syria is considering military aid. The conflict threatens regional stability, with three deaths reported in recent airport attacks and vital shipping lanes like the Bab el-Mandeb strait now at risk.