UAE calls for stronger Gulf defence as allies back Saudi Arabia after Riyadh airport attacks

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was targeted in two attacks over one weekend. The first, on Saturday, killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. A separate attack on Sunday killed one Pakistani national and injured 11 others. Saudi Arabia extended the airport’s operational suspension while checking whether its facilities were safe and ready.

Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for both attacks. The article does not explain the group’s origins or wider political aims, but identifies it as the force fighting Saudi Arabia from Yemen. The attacks involved missiles, according to the article, and the Saudi-led coalition later reported responding to a drone and cruise-missile threat.

The attacks had effects beyond casualties. Almost all scheduled flights were cancelled on Sunday, while several international airlines suspended Riyadh services. Regional governments condemned the strikes, and the UAE called for stronger collective Gulf defence because attacks on Saudi Arabia could threaten neighboring states too.

The Houthis, also called Ansar Allah, are a Yemen-based armed and political movement rooted mainly in the country’s Zaydi Shia community. They seized large areas, including Sana’a, during Yemen’s civil war. The article identifies them as Yemen’s Houthis and reports that they claimed responsibility for both attacks connected with Riyadh’s airport.

Their conflict with Saudi Arabia grew after Saudi Arabia led a military coalition into Yemen in 2015. The intervention aimed to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthi takeover. The Houthis view Saudi Arabia as a major opponent and have attacked Saudi territory with missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia says it is defending its territory and infrastructure.

The article presents no negotiated settlement or military solution. Iran offered to help mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, and its foreign minister spoke with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister. Meanwhile, Saudi-led forces reported responding to another drone and cruise-missile threat.

The weekend attacks caused a substantial human toll. Saturday’s strike at King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The death toll rose after an injured Indian citizen died on Sunday. A separate Sunday attack killed a Pakistani national and injured 11 people, bringing the reported deaths across both attacks to 14.

The disruption to aviation was also extensive. Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of airport operations on Monday while authorities checked the safety and readiness of its facilities. Almost all scheduled flights were cancelled on Sunday, according to Cirium. That meant passengers and airlines faced immediate uncertainty, even though the article does not state how many total flights were affected.

Several international carriers extended the disruption. Air France and KLM suspended Riyadh flights through 31 October. Lufthansa Group cancellations continued through Friday. The airport’s reopening time was not announced, so the operational impact remained unresolved.

Gulf states are closely connected by geography, trade, energy networks, and shared airspace. A threat aimed at Saudi Arabia can therefore disrupt routes or facilities that neighboring countries also depend on. Missiles, drones, or attacks on energy sites may create uncertainty well beyond the original target. The UAE’s Anwar Gargash said, “we are all targeted,” describing Gulf security as a shared responsibility.

The Riyadh attacks show the mechanism. The airport closure affected international airlines, while Qatar warned that regional attacks were already damaging energy supplies and markets. A wider conflict could place airports, ports, pipelines, refineries, and shipping routes under pressure. It could also force governments to divert resources toward defence and emergency response.

The immediate response was political rather than a newly announced military deployment. Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan supported Saudi Arabia, while France pledged continued assistance. The UAE called for stronger Gulf cooperation, arguing that delays or weaknesses in collective defence could encourage further attacks.

The Gulf is central to global energy flows, so conflict there can affect buyers far beyond the region. Qatar’s Energy Minister said the wider conflict was affecting around 20% of global oil and gas supplies. Even when production continues, threats to facilities and transport routes can make companies and traders fear interruptions. That uncertainty can rapidly move prices.

The article gives a direct example. Al-Kaabi said attacks on energy facilities had caused tens of billions of dollars in damage and severe volatility in global markets. A damaged installation may produce less energy, while threatened ports, pipelines, or shipping routes can slow deliveries. Governments and companies may then seek alternative supplies, increasing competition and costs.

Qatar urged the International Energy Forum to consider ways to protect infrastructure during conflict and safeguard supply flows. Al-Kaabi said energy security should unite countries, not divide them, and should be protected rather than weaponized. Continued attacks could therefore deepen both regional damage and global economic uncertainty.

Collective Gulf defence is the idea that Gulf states should protect the region together. It can include shared radar and intelligence, coordinated air and missile defence, joint exercises, common emergency plans, and mutual support after an attack. The goal is to detect threats earlier and prevent one country’s security failure from becoming a regional crisis.

The article’s example is the response to attacks on Saudi Arabia. Anwar Gargash said failures in collective defence had encouraged attacks and warned that “we are all targeted.” Cooperation could connect warning systems, coordinate decisions, and protect airports, energy facilities, and other critical sites. It could also make clear who provides assistance during an emergency.

The proposal remains a call rather than a fully described plan. Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan condemned the attacks, but announced no new military deployment. France offered continued support, while Iran offered mediation. The UAE’s message was that Gulf governments should act jointly, without complacency or delay.

Airports, oil facilities, ports, and energy networks are strategically important because they connect a country to people, trade, fuel, and global markets. Disabling one major site can create effects far beyond physical damage. Flights may stop, exports may slow, and customers may fear shortages. That makes infrastructure a way to pressure governments and economies without occupying territory.

The Riyadh airport attacks show this mechanism. The airport suspended operations, almost all scheduled flights were cancelled, and major airlines extended cancellations. Qatar’s energy minister separately said attacks on regional energy facilities caused tens of billions of dollars in damage and severe market volatility. Large sites are vulnerable because they are visible, concentrated, and often linked to other systems.

Modern defence therefore requires more than guarding one building. Countries need early warning, layered air defence, rapid repairs, backup routes, and coordinated security for connected networks. The article says Gulf states were urged to examine how energy infrastructure can be protected during conflict and how supply flows can be safeguarded.