The attacks expose gaps in Saudi air defenses, which intercept more than 90% of projectiles in protected areas but allow more than 50% of attacks to strike unprotected locations. A senior US official told the Wall Street Journal that the Houthis now bypass defenses by launching different munitions simultaneously in coordinated waves. Riyadh is currently seeking military assistance from Turkey, Pakistan, and European countries to address these coverage shortages.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Gulf Bourses Fall on Houthi Claims of Attacks on Saudi Oil and Airports
War8 hours ago
Saudi Arabian energy and aviation facilities became targets of 6 distinct Houthi missile and drone operations between Oct 18 and Oct 20. The strikes focused on Aramco's Yanbu facility, the Shaybah oil field, and airports in Riyadh and Abha, causing most Gulf stock exchanges to decline on Oct 20. However, NASA FIRMS satellite heat detections showed no large new signals at the oil sites, and Reuters could not verify Houthi claims of large fires.
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