Saudi Arabia remains in shock and without a clear response to the Houthis. Saudi Arabia began organizing a major offensive against the Houthis, rebuilt ties with the Emirates, and mobilized Turkish and Pakistani forces. Ground operations backed by strong drone and air support managed to seize positions along the coast. The Saudi air force carried out more than 100 strikes a day at times, and there are reports of Pakistani air force involvement as well. Until then, the Saudis had been dealing with attacks against their petrochemical infrastructure, including refineries, pumping stations, pipelines, and other targets. But the atmosphere of tension and vulnerability took hold of the kingdom after Saturday’s attack and the new bombardment on Sunday, which struck the economic heart of the country and its civilian infrastructure, shaking the sense of security Saudi Arabia had been trying to project to the world. Even with billions invested in American air defense systems, the country proved vulnerable to successive attacks. The Houthi tactic of combining cheap attack drones with more sophisticated missiles repeatedly pierced Riyadh’s protective shields. The Shaybah Complex, one of Aramco’s most important oil and gas facilities in the Eastern Province, was hit by missiles and drones. The Tanajib Facility, another critical energy installation in the same eastern oil region, was also targeted. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s greatest fear is materializing: the economic and reputational impact. These attacks come at a moment of financial pressure, with the government facing deficit projections and budgetary contraction. Seeing airports closed and smoke over the capital drives away tourism and foreign capital, pillars of the Vision 2030 modernization strategy. The immediate fear grounded aviation. International airlines are suspending flights, King Khalid International Airport remains closed, and foreign embassies, including the American one, have issued severe alerts restricting the movement of their citizens and staff on Saudi routes. The Saudi-led coalition promised a decisive response to what it called a war crime. Yet I reiterate that Saudi options are limited. Entering a prolonged ground war in Yemen would be extremely costly and risky, while relying only on air strikes has not been enough to contain the rebels, who move quickly in small, dispersed units. The Saudi strategy appears focused on attrition, but there is no clear plan for dealing with Houthi tactics. Even though the kingdom had anticipated the use of missiles against its infrastructure, it is paralyzed, in shock at the Houthis’ audacity and effectiveness. State television insists on highlighting the advances of allied forces and the destruction of missile platforms in Yemen. The government also continues to project institutional normality; the media has emphasized that the World Energy Congress, hosted in Riyadh just a few kilometers from the damaged airport, remains confirmed, in an effort to signal stability to international markets. The panic is real. In several cities in the west and center of the country, residents received official instructions from Civil Defense to seek shelter and stay away from windows due to the risk of new fragments and missiles. The immediate fear altered daily life. The Saudi Ministry of Education ordered all schools in Riyadh to operate remotely for a week. Residents and travelers report crowded hospitals and the shock of seeing international air traffic completely halted in the capital, while The state media spread the official version of the events. Riyadh and Dammam have long been seen as fortified strongholds. Watching defenses fail repeatedly against drones and missiles has shaken public confidence. Read more global21.substack.com/p/saud…