What should the Saudi's do?

[Ihatetomatoes]

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/10/middleeast/riyadh-airport-saudi-houthis-intl

Attack on an civilian airport.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2256474/saudi-arabia-riyadh-airport-attacks-houthis

More escalation in the middle east seems to the way this will go. The middle east seems a total mess with various terrorist organisations opperating from different countries and constant warfare.

Iran backs so many groups like this who care nothing for innocents of their own let alone in areas they attack.

They should use some of the multi-billion dollar military hardware they've been buying for decades to protect themselves

And wake up and realise that the US is not their friend - I expect MBS now knows this!

https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-saudi-arabia-red-sea-iran-a8a0e282a17c13a1e528e7ca73f17c5e

As I said on another thread....

Well, the Saudi's started this all - so they FAFO.

A volley of fire between the Iranian-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia has threatened to upend a 2022 truce in Yemen and open another front in the already expanding war in the Middle East after the collapse of the ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran.

I think you are being too simplistic in just labelling it as FAFO the Saudis started it.

I don't see why that is being simplistic. The is a long running civil war in Yemen, between the Government and the Houthi cult/ theocratic tribe. And ages ago US backed Saudi Arabia took the Yemeni Governments side and entered the war supporting said Government against the Houthi.

It has been a vicious long running war in one of the poorest nations on earth, and they have not managed to defeat the Houthi. The Houthi have gained ground. And also captured a lot of the official governments arms.

There was a Truce, because at least a million have died, and that Truce was broken when an Iranian plane attempted to land in Yemen. US backed Saudi Arabia bombed a couple of the Houthi airports, and it has kicked off again.

But the Houthi are somehow managing to get the better of the Saudis, despite the Saudis having the best arms money can buy.

There was truce, so there can be one again. But now, instead of the Saudis backing off and going to the UN security council, they have, and are, setting up their own "coalition of the willing".

Was there maybe a bit of an over reaction when SA bombed them because of the Iranian plane ? I would say yes. Because I would say diplomatic channels were the way to go. But SA was keen to bomb them, as a possible proxy of the USA. I recall from the time, but happy to be corrected, that SA were bombing the airports while the Iranian plane was still in the air ? They could have waited and the US could have used their high res satellite cameras to see if anything was being delivered.

Consider when the Houthi were attacking shipping. The US, UK, France, targeted the launchers only with airstrikes, and put anti-missile naval forces in the area. And the attacks stopped. Likely because the Houthi saw continuing as futile. And a waste of their missiles.

But now it's a bit different, because US aligned nations in the area are desperately low on Patriots etc, and the Houthi can take advantage.

And I reckon, really, that SA should have considered that before bombing the Houthi airports. Because now they have found out that the Houthi do have missiles left. It is a bit fair of FAFO.

Your long answer proves the point that I made that it's not as simplistic as "FAFO The Houthis started it"!

Yes, it has been a long running war, then a ceasfire and now raised tensions and attacks on each other again. FAFO doesn't really do the situation justice at all. Another soundbite expression that some people use.

Changed 'many' to 'some' since most posters might realise the conflict is a bit more complicated.

Thankfully your opinion doesnt count.

I posted facts. Sorry you dont like that.

In any case, theres another thread on it here and thats where I will continue.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/5587743-saudi-airport-attack-or-terror

Thanks.

😂oh my, flouncing out of the room 🙄

Opinions of us on MN all are equal. You carry no more weight than any other poster on these threads. Post where you like. FAFO is just an opinion of yours. Red tag posted more information going into the history of a long running conflict that flares up from time to time.

It was only a long post because I wanted to put in my reasoning why it has a big bit of FAFO.

Why did SA do the instant strikes on the Houthi airports, instead of just picking up the phone and asking Mr Houthi, " That Iranian plane is against the truce, can you explain it please ?"

Then if they do not get an answer, get on the phone to the UN security council.

Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi telephone number. Yes, perhaps they might be able to reach him and see if he is a reasonable fellow and might chat to them.

You'll probably be aware that "Saudi Arabia is in the Houthis’ crosshairs because it supports Yemen’s UN-backed government and its forces". The Houthis aren't the official government of Yeman.

Sadly the civil war in Yeman has lead to the esitmated deaths (according to the UN), over 150,000 people have been killed in Yemen, as well as estimates of more than 227,000 dead as a result of an ongoing famine and lack of healthcare facilities due to the war. Doesn't sound much like a reasonable person leading The Houthis in their civil war.

Different matter but The Houthis blocking ships from passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait. This affects oil supply and the Saudi's business is oil.

The situation is very complex. Many of these conflicts in the region are complex.

To be fair, none of us on MN know what goes on behind the scenes with any of these conflicts. The UN backs the Yeman government but it's pretty toothless when it comes down to it.

Flouncing?

Not really. As said, there was another thread started before this one.

Nothing more, nothing less. As for FAFO - its not an opinion. It is fact. The Wahabis are finding that out, arent they? Anyway....

"In any case, theres another thread on it here and thats where I will continue." Off you trot then. Are you new here? People can disagree with your OPINIONS.

An interesting article here

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/11/world/saudi-arabia-airport-attack-analysis-intl

SA also managed to ostracise UAE which were supporting a faction of Yemenites who were also keeping the Houthis at bay.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/29/saudi-arabia-urged-to-reconcile-with-uae-to-drive-back-houthi-separatists-in-yemen

Ilhled

Quote " Sadly the civil war in Yeman has lead to the esitmated deaths (according to the UN), over 150,000 people have been killed in Yemen, as well as estimates of more than 227,000 dead as a result of an ongoing famine and lack of healthcare facilities due to the war. Doesn't sound much like a reasonable person leading The Houthis in their civil war. ."

And from a later post you made, quote " The UN backs the Yeman government but it's pretty toothless when it comes down to it."

And this from above, Quote " The situation is very complex. Many of these conflicts in the region are complex."

I agree with @JamJar187 by the way, that there is another thread and will probably stick to that, for a while.

Those three quotes from your posts. I think they can all be combined. And I will add this link too, to try for get my case across.

About | Yemen Permanent Mission to the United Nations

This seems to be the official governments page on the UN. It all looks a bit odd, but all I can quickly find. It does have lots of info though. And it lists the UN resolutions which is what we need.

First up, when you say The Houthi don't seem to care about the people, is that not the usual " good guys have white hats, bad guys wear black hats" sort of thing. And that combines into "" The UN backs the Yeman government"

Well no. Because the UN is not some sort of world management directorate. It's a consensus organization. And here is the "Resolution 2201 (2015) / adopted by the Security Council at its 7382nd meeting, on 15 February 2015
"

Resolution 2201 (2015) / (un.org)

"The Security Council, Recalling its resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012) and 2140 (2014) and presidential statements of 15 February 2013 and 29 August 2014, Reaffirming its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and its commitment to stand by the people of Yemen, Supporting the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and commending its engagement in assisting the political transition in Yemen, Deploring the unilateral actions taken by the Houthis to dissolve parliament and take over Yemen’s government institutions, which have seriously escalated the situation, expressing alarm at the acts of violence committed by the Houthis and their supporters, which have undermined the political transition process in Yemen, and jeopardized the security, stability, sovereignty and unity of Yemen, Emphasizing that the political transitional process agreed upon by the parties in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement has been undermined, ......"

The " people of Yemen,", not the Yemeni government.

The Houthi are apparently refusing to engage with the UN . This appears to be their 2026 press release.

Foreign Ministry: Yemen’s UN seat is vacant (saba.ye)

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed that the seat of the Republic of Yemen at the United Nations is considered vacant."

And skipping back to UN resolution 2201, "Supporting the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and commending its engagement in assisting the political transition in Yemen, "

To me it takes 2 to tango, or 3 or 4 or 5. And the way forward is to talk. Not to bomb. It appears the Yemeni Government is rather despotic itself, and while the UN Sec Council are saying "political transition in Yemen, ", SA are going gung ho and supporting the government. Instead of talking.

So I reckon it's for the UN. Take it back there. And if some parties refuse to talk, then it should be up to the UN sec council to discuss options, to reach a consensus, on how to get everyone around the table.

This bit " Many of these conflicts in the region are complex."

Again, this has a tinge of white hat/black hat to it. Because ALL conflicts are complex ( Do a one paragraph summary of "The Troubles" for example). But for some reason you are singling out the region as being specifically complex. And yes. it is made more complex by too many people pulling too many strings, instead of going through the UN where the "string pullers" actually have to make a case about what string to pull. The string pullers, are not interested in reaching a consensus.

If your starting point is "these are bad people with black hats", how is it even possible to get them sat at a table.

Read this in the Telegraph today, concerning Vision 2030. Doesn’t sound like good news for Saudi.

Reports suggest the chief executives of global oil giants such as ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell and BP – none of them strangers to a hot spot – have already pulled out of this week’s curtain-raiser, the WPC Energy Congress, formerly the World Petroleum Congress.
“The summit is a showcase of the Crown Prince’s ambitious bet to position his kingdom as a critical hinge in the global economy, and the pre-eminent player in the Middle East.
The Houthis are challenging that bet, the Vision 2030 programme, by targeting an airport that should be central to the Kingdom’s desire to make Riyadh a hub for tourists, multinational companies, and international events.
The onslaught raises questions of not only whether Vision 2030 is still viable in a region wracked by a multi-front war, but also why Saudi Arabia is so vulnerable despite hefty defence spending.”
“The kingdom said it would open an investigation into how its air defences failed after the airport was hit repeatedly last week.
Houthi missiles have also struck oil, military and transport facilities.
Officials said early indications suggested the Houthis first fired multiple drones to pave the way for a mix of cruise and ballistic missiles to reach Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi officials are also said to be running low on stocks of expensive Patriot interceptors that shoot incoming ballistic missiles out of the sky.
On paper at least the Saudi military should comprehensively outclass the Houthi militiamen it has been fighting on and off for more than a decade.”
“The country has the eighth largest defence budget in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and spent around $83bn (£62bn) on its armed forces in 2025 alone.
Saudi Arabia has a significant air force, and the US agreed in November 2025 to sell F-35 stealth fighters to join the country’s fleet of F-15s and Eurofighter Typhoons.”
“Yet despite such substantial defence expenditure, the Houthis are waging a classic asymmetric war according to analysts and only need to hit occasionally to weaken the Saudi economy.
“For the Houthis, they don’t need to win the war against the Saudis, all they need to do is to make the war more expensive and more costly for them,” Hisham al Omeisy of the European Institute of Peace said earlier this month.
Thomas Juneau, security analyst at the University of Ottawa, told AFP: “Saudi air defences have been able to intercept some Houthi missile and drone attacks, but Saudi Arabia is so large that it’s simply impossible for them to consistently defend themselves.”
Some analysts have also suggested that despite the substantial defence spending of the Saudi forces, they are fractured and poorly coordinated.”
“Heavy spending on prestige weapons systems has not made up for weaknesses in organisation, with the armed forces significantly inward-looking and distracted by a focus on protecting the royal family and warding off internal coups.
The country is also feeling the effects of the Iran war.
High global oil prices are mitigating some of the damage from Donald Trump’s destabilising assault on Iran. But the government is also having to spend billions more on circumventing the Strait of Hormuz, propping up the economy and tooling up the military.”
“To the frustration of the Crown Prince, Mr Trump appears reluctant to get entangled, at least this side of the midterms. He may also be tacitly punishing MBS for refusing to cosy up to Israel.
The United Arab Emirates has called for Gulf unity, but is also a strategic and economic rival of its larger neighbour.
The Saudis have nothing if not resources and resilience. But the world suddenly looks a more friendless place. For MBS, who has spent the past decade learning diplomatic tradecraft on the job, it’s another harsh lesson.
Yet Saudi Arabia has no choice but to confront the Houthis, said Bader al Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University.”
“He said: “National security comes first and will always come first. This has been a festering issue for the past decade. The Saudis have tried a truce, but the Houthis have not been forthcoming when it comes to finding a way forward.
“It was inevitable that the fighting resumes.
“On the Houthi side, we have seen in the past decade they have improved in ballistic missiles and drones. This is straight from the Iranian and Hezbollah playbook. We are seeing more direct damage.”
“But on the other side, the Yemeni government and the Saudis, we are also seeing an uptick in attacks and more forceful use of ground forces. The message from the Saudis is that they need to reach a final conclusion so that it doesn’t bother them again.”
News footage of the airport attack may look grim, but the country is vast and could cope, he said, even if that meant the forthcoming business bash being held somewhere else.
Mr al Saif said: “If they don’t hold it in Riyadh, they can hold it in another city.
“I was there recently and life was very normal. It’s not like its their only airport and they can’t move, they have several.””
“Ameneh Mehvar, Middle East analyst with the Acled conflict monitoring body, said: “By making air travel increasingly unpredictable and raising security concerns around international events, the Houthis are seeking to impose economic costs on Saudi Arabia that extend well beyond the physical damage inflicted.
“The impact is already evident, with major international airlines suspending flights to Riyadh and several leading energy executives absent from this week’s WPC Energy Congress in the capital.””

Excerpt From
“Cowering MBS faces biggest challenge to Saudi ambitions”
Hans van Leeuwen
The Telegraph
https://apple.news/AaJE8naH5Qcm-d8ejKNWj_g
This material may be protected by copyright.

Thank you for sharing. As you say not good news for Saudi. "“By making air travel increasingly unpredictable and raising security concerns around international events, the Houthis are seeking to impose economic costs on Saudi Arabia that extend well beyond the physical damage inflicted." The Houthis really do want to stop Saudi from being successful. Perhaps they want the middle east to be more like tribe led Houthis areas. Women are dreaded dreadfullym child soldiers, war and conflict dominate.

I quote you

"I agree with JamJar by the way, that there is another thread and will probably stick to that, for a while". You do you.

As I said, it's a complicated issue and soundbites such as FAFO really don't do it justice. 😊

Put pressure on America to restrain Israel. They started it.

Very simplistic approach - Israel started it. I guess some people like to blame Israel for everything, totally ignoring terrorist actions since terrorists obviously cannot be blamed.

I can also see you not aware that The Saudi's and The Houthis have been in on/off conflict since the conflict between the Houthi movement ( they are based in Yemen) and Saudi Arabia began with the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War in 2015. 🙄 What must it be like to merely parrot 'it's Israel's fault' to everything that occurs.

Well airports in the gulf were not bombed until Israel started bombing Iran and pressuring America to join in all the fun.

facts are facts 🤷‍♀️

Seriously you obviously have no idea of the ongoing problems between Saudi and The Houthis. Stop making yourself look stupid (or something much worse) and go read up a bit BEFORE using the Israel started it....you sound like you are a 15 year old on a march repeating what you have been told to say.

Really these threads are hillarious - some posters have no idea of any history.