On the third anniversary of the first Saudi airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, Saudi Arabia is grappling with continued conflict. Saudi air defense forces claimed that the country's Patriot surface-to-air missile systems intercepted three missiles from Yemen above Riyadh late March 25. Four other missiles, also launched from Yemen, were intercepted earlier that day and were aimed at Najran, Jizan and Khamis Mushait. Eyewitness reports, images and videos from across Riyadh show the missile interception as well as pieces of debris falling in populated areas. Video also showed what appeared to be several failed Patriot missiles, some of which may have caused damage on the ground.
One Egyptian expatriate was killed and three were injured from falling debris striking their home. Houthi rebels in Yemen have confirmed that they launched the missiles, and Houthi political leader Saleh al Samad at a Sanaa rally March 25 vowed to continue missile attacks as long as the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) coalition continues anti-Houthi operations in the country.
The Egyptian expatriate's death marks the first casualty in Riyadh from the Saudi-led war on Houthi rebels in Yemen, which entered its fourth year on March 26. The death has elicited a strong reaction on social media from Saudis who are circulating his purported photo along with messages about how his death was a tragedy. Some Saudi messages also reveal doubts about whether their government can protect them if missile launches grow more frequent. Staying on top of popular opinion in the kingdom is important for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the country's defense minister.
Saudi Arabia has grown more deeply involved in Yemen over the last three years, but there are still few options by which the country can end the fight militarily and still satisfy all of its security objectives — especially because Riyadh remains dead set on removing the threat that Iran presents via its support for the Houthis. Missile launches like those on March 25 only further entrench that motivation, propagating a cycle of tit-for-tat attacks. It's possible that more deaths in Saudi Arabia could prompt the kingdom to make a stronger effort to find a political solution. But it is more likely that Riyadh's anti-Iran motivations will lead it to further engage in conflict to quash the Houthis.
