A team of Ukrainian technicians has been working for the past two days to install the Ukrainian Sky Map defence system around Riyadh Airport, following reports that Yemen intends to carry out a double strike that would destroy the airport.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly took Yemen’s threats seriously and, a few days ago, sent a number of mediators to the Yemeni side in an attempt to persuade them not to strike Riyadh Airport. Yemen, however, rejected the request and told the mediators that the strike was imminent and would be carried out unless the blockade on Sana’a Airport was lifted.

Yemenis say they have decided to treat Saudi Arabia in the same way, arguing that the disruption of Sana’a Airport will be met with the disruption of Riyadh Airport, and that the same principle applies to ports and other facilities.