Houthi strikes hit Saudi airports as group warns against using kingdom's airspace
Yemen's Houthis have warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace following consecutive attacks on Riyadh and Dammam airports that killed at least 13 people.
Yemen's Houthi movement has issued a warning to airlines and passengers to avoid Saudi airspace and airports, excluding facilities serving Mecca and Medina, following consecutive attacks on Saudi infrastructure.
The announcement came after repeated strikes targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh over two days. The initial assault killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, forcing the suspension of flights, while a subsequent strike sparked a fire inside a passenger terminal. Separately, an attack on Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia left one person dead and eight injured, as coalition forces intercepted four incoming drones in the region.
US President Donald Trump called the strikes "not acceptable," and the Saudi-led military coalition pledged to retaliate against Houthi targets in Yemen.
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 26, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCHouthis warn travelers after repeated strikes hit Saudi airports
- 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
- 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