Pentagon prepares 3-day Iran blitz as Houthi missiles kill Riyadh airport pilot

Houthi ballistic missiles have struck Riyadh international airport for the third time in a week, killing three Saudis including a pilot, destroying a plane and prompting major carriers to cancel flights.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Africa correspondent Ben Farmer to discuss why Saudi airports are particularly “painful” targets for the Iran-backed Houthis to be hitting even as they face growing military pressure from government forces within Yemen.

Fresh from Djibouti’s Red Sea coastline, Ben shares testimonies from Yemeni refugees about what the war looks like on the ground, Houthi forced recruitment, and why many are more scared of Saudi planes than the militants.

Plus, Donald Trump insists no strikes on Iran will take place prior to the US midterms, even as reports reveal the Pentagon has drawn up plans for a three-day campaign targeting the regime’s missile arsenal and command centers. What would a resumption of the war mean for Africa?

Highlights

Houthi missiles kill three including pilot at Riyadh airportPentagon draws up three-day Iran blitz

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Ben Farmer, Africa correspondent @benfarmerDT

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘The dogs were eating their bodies’: Thousands of Yemenis flee war across the sea