Houthis issue Saudi airspace warning after repeated airport strikes
The Houthi movement has warned airlines against using Saudi airspace following repeated missile and drone strikes on major airports in Riyadh and Dammam.
Yemen's Houthi movement has warned airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi Arabia's airspace and most airports following consecutive strikes on key transport hubs. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that Saudi aviation facilities, excluding those in Mecca and Medina, "constitute a theatre of operations for our forces."
The warning follows a second strike in two days on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which sparked a fire in a passenger hall and kept flight operations halted. The attacks on Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured over 300. A separate strike targeted Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia, killing one person and injuring eight, while coalition air defenses intercepted four incoming drones.
US President Donald Trump called the assaults "not acceptable," while the Saudi-led coalition pledged military 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, 06:00 AM UTCHouthi movement warns airlines after deadly strikes on Saudi airports
- 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