Houthi strikes on Saudi airports prompt flight warnings and international concern
Yemen's Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace following consecutive strikes on airports in Riyadh and Dammam that left at least 13 people dead and over 300 injured.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement has advised airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi Arabian airspace and most airports following consecutive strikes on transport hubs. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that facilities outside Mecca and Medina "constitute a theatre of operations for our forces."
The warning followed repeated strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which caused a passenger terminal fire and forced flight suspensions. Casualty reports indicate at least 12 to 13 people were killed and over 300 injured. A separate attack at Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia killed one person and injured eight, while coalition forces reported shooting down four incoming drones.
US President Donald Trump described the assaults as "not acceptable," while the Saudi-led coalition pledged to retaliate against Houthi targets.
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, 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
- 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