Houthi strikes force closure of Riyadh airport as regional tensions rise
Flight operations remain grounded at Riyadh airport following consecutive Houthi strikes, as rebels warn passengers to avoid Saudi airspace.
Saudi Arabia's aviation network faces severe disruption following consecutive strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which forced the suspension of flights after damaging terminal facilities and igniting fires. Officials reported a second projectile strike in two days, with casualties from the initial attack estimated between 12 and 13 people killed and over 300 injured.
In eastern Saudi Arabia, another strike on Dammam airport resulted in one death and eight injuries, while coalition forces reported intercepting four incoming drones. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared Saudi airspace a "theatre of operations" and urged airlines to avoid local airports, excluding holy sites in Mecca and Medina.
In response, the Saudi-led coalition launched retaliatory strikes in Yemen, while US President Donald Trump condemned the attacks as "not acceptable."
Sources: BBC News, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.
How outlets assessed this
- STV News Alarmed Emphasized local official reports of high casualties and severe structural damage at the airport terminal.
- Cyprus Mail Cautious Relied on official Saudi aviation casualty counts and emphasized coalition strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
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 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 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
- Oct 19, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCRiyadh airport operations remain suspended following second day of Houthi strikes
- Oct 19, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCRiyadh airport operations remain suspended after second Houthi strike
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCRiyadh airport operations remain halted after second day of Houthi strikes
- Oct 15, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCHouthi strikes hit Riyadh airport for second day as operations remain suspended