Houthi movement warns airlines after deadly strikes on Saudi airports
Yemen's Houthis warned airlines away from Saudi airspace following attacks on airports in Riyadh and Dammam that killed at least 13 people.
Yemen's Houthi movement has warned commercial airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi airspace and most domestic airports following consecutive attacks on key aviation infrastructure. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Saudi airports, excluding facilities in Mecca and Medina, "constitute a theatre of operations for our forces."
The warning comes after a second strike in two days targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, sparking a passenger terminal fire and halting flight operations. Strikes on the capital killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. A separate assault hit Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia, leaving one dead and eight wounded, while coalition air defenses reported intercepting four incoming drones.
US President Donald Trump described the assaults as "not acceptable," while the Saudi-backed military coalition pledged direct retaliation against Houthi targets.
Sources: BBC News, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.
Sources
- France24 — Middle East live: Riyadh airport attack 'not acceptable,' Trump says
- The Guardian — Middle East crisis live: Houthis warn passengers against using Saudi airport after deadly attack on Riyadh
- STV News — At least 12 killed in attack on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport
- BBC News — Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport hit by second Houthi strike in two days
- Sweden Herald — One killed and at least eight injured in attack on Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia
Earlier coverage
- Oct 27, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCHouthis issue Saudi airspace warning after repeated airport strikes
- Oct 26, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCHouthi strikes on Saudi airports prompt flight warnings and international concern
- Oct 26, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCHouthis warn travelers after repeated strikes hit Saudi airports
- Oct 25, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCHouthi strikes hit Saudi airports as group warns against using kingdom's airspace
- Oct 25, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCHouthi rebels warn airlines against using Saudi airspace following airport attacks
- Oct 24, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCSaudi airports hit by repeated Houthi strikes as warnings issued
- Oct 24, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCHouthi strikes force closure of Riyadh airport as regional tensions rise
- Oct 22, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCSaudi airports targeted in new Houthi strikes as flight operations halt
- Oct 22, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCSaudi Arabia launches retaliatory strikes following Houthi attacks on airports
- Oct 22, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCSaudi airports hit by fresh strikes as Houthis warn travellers