Saudi Arabia Seeks U.S. Interceptors as Houthi Attacks More Than Double in 1 Week
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 21
Saudi Arabia Seeks U.S. Interceptors as Houthi Attacks More Than Double in 1 Week
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 21
Summary
Riyadh is pressing Washington for more interceptors and weighing broader foreign help as Houthi missile and drone attacks intensify across Saudi cities, airports and energy sites.
At least 13 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in the worst strike on King Khalid International Airport, part of a surge in attacks that more than doubled in a week this month.
Saudi Arabia spent $83.2 billion on defense last year, but analysts say cheap, low-flying drones and missiles are exposing gaps in radar coverage and draining high-end interceptor stocks.
Britain is sending Typhoon jets, Egypt is already assisting and Israel has offered help, yet experts say defensive support alone will not remove Houthi launchers in Yemen without deeper U.S. involvement.
Trump is now weighing direct strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis, even after a 60-day U.S. bombing campaign in 2025 delivered limited strategic gains and the renewed war displaced more than 250,000 people in Yemen.