Saudi Arabia shutters operations, cancels flights as Houthi militia attacks Riyadh airport
The Saudi Arabian government has temporarily suspended operations at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after the Houthi militia targeted the airport with missile strikes on Saturday.
In a statement following the incident, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said several people were injured in the attacks, prompting the temporary closure of the airport as authorities assess the damage.
“The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was subjected to an attack this afternoon, Saturday, 29 Rabi’ al-Thani 1448 AH, corresponding to October 10, 2026 AD,” the aviation agency said.
It added, “This comes amid the continuation of blatant attacks targeting civil aviation facilities in the Kingdom. The attack resulted in a number of injuries, which are currently being investigated.
“The authority clarified that operational processes at the airport have been temporarily suspended pending the completion of damage assessment and verification of facility safety, in coordination with the competent authorities.”
Hostilities between the Houthi militia and Saudi Arabia have escalated in recent weeks following accusations by the Houthi regime in Yemen that Saudi forces bombed an airport under their control in July.
In September, the Houthis seized additional territory along Yemen’s western coast, including areas around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, but the Saudi authorities have been trying to push them back.
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