Riyadh airport attack another dangerous moment in already tense conflict

Not since the al-Qaeda insurgency of the mid-2000s has the Kingdom faced such a serious threat. The Saudi government overcame that challenge through an effective hearts and minds campaign. Then it weathered the Arab Spring uprisings around the region which saw off leaders in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen. It even shrugged off – with some annoyance – an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Riyadh in March.But this is different. Saudi Arabia may have one of the most powerful air forces in the Middle East, and it has been carrying out devastating air strikes on Houthi positions. Despite this, the opposing forces have managed to seize large portions of the country, particularly in the north and west.But the Houthis know exactly where to hit back: at the soft underbelly of the Saudi economy.As part of the "axis of resistance", the Houthis are a vital strategic partner for Iran. From Jizan on the Red Sea to the petrochemical complex at Khurais, the Houthis are delivering explosive drones and missiles with deadly accuracy.The Red Sea shipping route has become increasingly important, because the Strait of Hormuz, on the other side of the Gulf, has still not fully reopened since the US and Iran have failed to reach a deal to end their war.Targeting ships in the Red Sea is another way that the Houthis are trying to exert leverage - the attacks cause global economic damage, which is a key bargaining chip for Tehran.