Houthi drones open the door for the deadly missiles, Riyadh in flames

Shifting focus now, Saudi Arabia, remember, has spent billions building one of the region's most advanced air defence networks, yet Houthi drones and missiles travelled more than a thousand kilometres to strike Riyadh, leaving at least 14 dead and more than 300 injured. And now Riyadh is investigating not only how the attack happened, but why its defences did not provide earlier warnings and what really happened. Take a look. Ripped through departure lounges. Surveillance footage from King Khalid Airport shows the moment panic took over. Smoke rises. Flames spread. People scatter across the terminal floor. Some run towards exits. Others take cover as alarms sound and emergency crew move in. the attack killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300 a second strike the next day killed one person and wounded 11. the airport has remained closed airlines have cancelled flights the saudi capital has faced attacks for three consecutive days now comes the question haunting saudi authorities how did the weapons get through according to reports the houthis launched multiple drones first followed by a combination of cruise and ballistic missiles the suspected tactic could have complicated detection and interception by forcing air defenses to track different threats arriving in the same attack the weapons reportedly traveled more than a thousand kilometers to reach riyadh saudi arabia spends enormous sums on defense including advanced american systems but sophisticated equipment cannot guarantee that every incoming weapon will be destroyed drones can be relatively cheap interceptors are expensive and a coordinated attack can put pressure on radar operators response times and ammunition stocks the Houthis say they launched the attacks in retaliation for brutal Saudi aggression against areas they control in western Yemen the Iran-backed group also warned the United States of painful response if Washington joined Saudi war if the U.S. becomes involved in the aggression against Yemen we will not deliberate over the decision to respond rather there will be a swift and painful response targeting U.S. and all its interests in the region wherever we can reach them The implications of repeated Houthi attacks reach far beyond one airport. Riyadh is a political and economic hub, and repeated strikes threaten civilian safety, aviation, and investor confidence. For the Houthis, reaching the Saudi capital is a demonstration of capability. For Riyadh, the urgent question is whether its costly shield can adapt before the next missile gets through. Bureau report, Riyadh. Wild is one.