Unpacking the Houthi Missile Threat and the Challenge Facing Saudi Air Defences

Yemen’s Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are launching waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones deep inside Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been repeatedly targeted, culminating in an attack that killed 12 people and wounded 309, prompting the civil aviation authority to suspend operations and leading to new travel warnings from the United States and United Kingdom.

Despite possessing an advanced, multilayered air defence system, Saudi Arabia has struggled to intercept every incoming projectile as the Iran-backed group combines drones and missiles of varying speeds to confound defenses. Experts note that while Saudi warplanes have targeted Houthi positions across Yemen, the kingdom faces constraints including limited stockpiles of Patriot and THAAD munitions and the challenge of covering a vast border.

The Houthis' arsenal includes medium-range ballistic missiles like the Palestine-2 and the Toufan, alongside short-range options such as the Burkan and Badr series. According to analysts, these weapons largely derive from Iranian weaponry with some Chinese technological influences. While the Saudi-led coalition maintains the military upper hand and targets Houthi depots, the group continues to pose a significant disruption threat to civilian infrastructure.