Saudi Arabia airports remain closed following Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia’s airports remain closed until at least Sunday following a series of Houthi attacks that occurred over the past weekend. The heightened security situation has caused significant travel disruptions, including for international officials currently in the country. The international community is closely monitoring whether the Mecca Agreement—a mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan—will be activated in response to the aggression, potentially leading to the deployment of foreign military forces. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom continues to provide defensive support, utilizing its base in Akrotiri to assist with mid-air refueling operations for Saudi fighter jets.

Cypriot Minister of Energy, Michalis Damianos, who was in Riyadh for energy conferences and the signing of a cooperation memorandum, was forced to alter his travel plans due to the closures. After arriving in Bahrain last Saturday, he was compelled to travel to Riyadh by road. On Tuesday, he began a long overland journey to Doha to catch a flight back to Cyprus. Despite the logistical challenges, the minister stated that he was safe and that his official duties, including the signing of the energy partnership agreement, were completed as scheduled.