Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Relocates Amid Houthi Attacks on Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly been moving between heavily guarded palaces equipped with bunkers in Riyadh as Yemen's Houthis intensify their missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital. The kingdom's de facto ruler has not been seen in public since last week and is reportedly traveling between fortified royal residences accompanied by a handpicked security team.

These reported movements come as the Houthis continue to target Riyadh with drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The attacks have forced the closure of King Khalid International Airport until 17 October following repeated strikes. On Saturday, a ballistic missile struck one of the airport's terminals, resulting in 13 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Another missile hit the airport on Sunday, killing one person, while four others were killed in attacks on Wednesday and Thursday.

The strikes have raised concerns over Saudi Arabia's ability to defend its capital, amid reports that the kingdom is running low on interceptor missiles used to shoot down incoming ballistic and cruise missiles. Saudi Arabia's air defense stockpiles have been depleted by repeated attacks, leaving the kingdom increasingly vulnerable to further strikes. Saudi Arabia, like much of the region, has expended large quantities of interceptor missiles defending against Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles launched following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Dr. Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges in countering Houthi attacks, particularly low-flying drones and cruise missiles that are harder to detect. The kingdom's dwindling stockpile of interceptor missiles has further complicated its defensive efforts. Ozcelik stated that while Saudi Arabia's air defense systems are under strain, there have also been reports of successful interceptions.

In September, a report by the Associated Press revealed that Saudi officials had asked Britain, France, and Pakistan for assistance in replenishing their air defense capabilities. The report also indicated that Saudi Arabia is seeking to acquire advanced air defense systems from these countries to bolster its defenses against the ongoing Houthi attacks.

CONTEXT: The situation highlights the escalating tensions in the region and the challenges faced by Saudi Arabia in protecting its capital from Houthi attacks. The depletion of interceptor missiles and the strain on air defense systems underscore the need for Saudi Arabia to bolster its defensive capabilities to counter the ongoing threats.