CNN reports:

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wanted to make his kingdom a magnet for investment, tourism and the world’s biggest sporting events. Now drones and missiles launched from Yemen are slamming into Saudi cities, drawing the kingdom deeper into the regional turmoil he hoped to leave behind.

The civil war in Yemen erupted once again this summer and significantly intensified last month, breaking years of relative calm. Saudi Arabia has for 11 years tried to contain the conflict on its southern border through military force and diplomacy – first waging war with the Iran-allied Houthi group, then pursuing peace talks with them and restoring diplomatic talks with their backer, Iran.

Despite the efforts, a series of miscalculations has left Riyadh exposed to further conflict in Yemen, experts say. Saudi Arabia’s ended its longstanding partnership with the UAE late last year over its backing of a rival force in Yemen, misjudged President Donald Trump’s willingness to back it if it needed support, and struggled to organize disintegrated armed factions fighting the Houthis in Yemen.

Now, Riyadh is trying to regain its footing by supporting its Yemeni partners in yet another campaign against the Houthis, an operation named “Yemen’s Dawn.”

Prince Mohammed’s ambitions to transform his kingdom have already faced several challenges since his rise to power more than a decade ago. Today, they’re coming under further strain as multi-front attacks on oil infrastructure cut into exports, major projects are canceled, and the kingdom is pulled into a war with no clear way out.

At least three people, including a Saudi pilot, were killed this week after Houthi forces struck several airports in the kingdom, according to Saudi Arabia. Regional turmoil has forced the suspension of star-studded film festivals, award shows, and music concerts this year. Meanwhile, the kingdom’s flagship financial conference, which is expected to draw high-profile business leaders at the end of October, is coming under pressure amid the strikes.

“They just needed the conflict to stay (as) far away from them as possible without the Houthis disrupting their transformation plans,” Michael Ratney, the former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told CNN. “Now they find themselves in the middle of it.” [Continue reading…]