Saudi Arabia and its allied forces in Yemen have pledged a “firm response” following a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that left three Saudi citizens dead. The strike, which occurred on Thursday, marks a significant escalation in the renewed conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-backed rebels.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition confirmed on Friday that airstrikes had destroyed three Houthi rocket launch platforms. Major General Turki al-Maliki stated that attacks targeting civilians would be met with decisive military action.
According to the kingdom’s civil aviation authority, the airport was hit twice during the Thursday incident. The first wave of fire targeted airport infrastructure, while a second attack struck a Saudia Airlines aircraft. Authorities reported that several individuals of various nationalities were also injured in the blasts.
The attacks have caused widespread disruption to air travel. Flight-tracking data from FlightAware indicated that hundreds of flights were canceled. Air India suspended operations to Riyadh through Saturday, and the Lufthansa Group announced it would halt flights to the Saudi capital until October 16.
In an updated safety bulletin issued Friday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended that airlines avoid operating in additional sections of Saudi airspace. The agency noted that recent attacks demonstrated the Houthis’ capability and intent to strike targets deep within Saudi territory, including the capital.
Tensions between the Saudi coalition and the Houthis have intensified over the past few weeks. Houthi fighters recently advanced down Yemen’s coast, seizing significant territory that increased their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait. In response, coalition forces have launched a counteroffensive and reclaimed several areas along the strait. However, fighting continues, and the Houthis have warned that Saudi oil facilities remain potential targets.
The conflict, which began in 2015 when Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen’s civil war to restore the internationally recognized government, had largely quieted under a UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022. The recent violence signals a breakdown of that stability.
This escalation is terrifying. A direct hit on the capital changes everything. No more pretending it’s just a border conflict.
Flight disruptions are a nightmare. Will airlines ever fly into this zone again safely?