Houthi attacks on riyadh airport kill three as yemen war escalates
Saudi authorities report three deaths after Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport as Saudi airstrikes and fighting across Yemen intensify.
Saudi authorities said three people were killed in Thursday’s attacks on Riyadh airport as Yemen’s Houthi movement intensified its missile strikes against Saudi Arabia. The attacks also injured several people, damaged a Saudia Airlines plane and disrupted flights to the Saudi capital.
The latest developments mark a further escalation in the conflict, which has spread across Yemen and increased risks to regional aviation and shipping.
The deaths were reported on Friday, October 9, by Saudi authorities. Saudia Airlines said one of those killed was its employee.
The airport’s civil aviation authority said air traffic had returned to normal, although flight-tracking data showed that some airlines were still experiencing cancellations and delays.
The incident followed reports of explosions, smoke and flight disruptions at King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, when the Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack.
Saudi Arabia Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen
Saudi airstrikes hit Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, overnight, according to Houthi officials and affiliated media.
A Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it had destroyed three missile launch platforms used by the Houthis. The coalition also warned that it would respond firmly to attacks on civilians.
The Houthis have continued launching missiles towards Saudi Arabia and threatening facilities linked to the kingdom’s oil industry.
Saudi Arabia has backed government forces in Yemen as they attempt to reverse recent Houthi territorial gains, including along the Red Sea coast.
Fighting Intensifies Around Taiz and Bab el-Mandeb
Fighting has also intensified around Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, where the Houthis have encircled government forces and advanced in nearby mountain districts.
The group has also fought to maintain its positions along the Red Sea coast as Saudi-backed forces attempt to retake territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for international shipping.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen said Bab el-Mandeb had been cleared of Houthi forces. Reuters said it could not independently verify the statement and reported that Houthi forces remained in Mocha, further up the coast.
Airlines Face Growing Security Risks
The Houthis renewed their warnings against aircraft flying over Saudi Arabia, excluding the airspace above the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended the area covered by its advice against flying, citing the recent Riyadh airport attacks and risks to civil aviation. Aviation risk monitoring group OPSGROUP also advised against flying over Saudi Arabia.
Some regional airlines continued operating through Riyadh, while others suspended flights or reported disruptions.
The US embassy in the United Arab Emirates urged Americans to exercise increased vigilance, warning that hostilities could escalate rapidly.
Saudi Arabia Seeks Support
Saudi Arabia is seeking assistance from Pakistan and Turkey under a mutual defence agreement as it responds to the Houthi attacks and advances inside Yemen.
The conflict has become a major front in the wider regional war that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, according to Reuters.
The Houthis’ attacks on shipping and threats to Saudi infrastructure have added another security challenge for the region.
Riyadh is also scheduled to host the WPC Energy Congress from Sunday, bringing together oil ministers, government officials and energy executives.
Italy’s energy minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, said he would participate by video rather than attend in person, without giving a reason.
