Houthis Claim new attack on riyadh airport as explosions trigger evacuation
Houthis claimed a new attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport as explosions, smoke and flight disruptions were reported in the Saudi capital.
Several explosions were heard across Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at King Khalid International Airport, as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed they had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile.
A witness told The Associated Press that smoke was visible at the airport, while fire and ambulance crews were deployed. Outgoing flights were halted and passengers were instructed to evacuate, leaving their checked-in luggage behind.
The Houthis said the ballistic missile caused damage at the airport but did not provide evidence. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the claim.
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missiles
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, said Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh and another missile fired toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities also said debris from an intercepted missile landed in Riyadh, damaging a kindergarten and a medical complex.
Reuters reported that video verified by the agency showed a thick column of black smoke and flames rising from Riyadh airport. A witness and three people briefed on the matter said a commercial plane had caught fire, although the cause of the fire was not immediately clear. People briefed on the matter said the fire was later put out.
Flights Disrupted
FlightRadar24 showed numerous delayed arrivals and departures at King Khalid International Airport. The airport advised travelers to contact their airlines before traveling.
Reuters reported that almost 50% of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday, based on data compiled by aviation analytics company Cirium. Lufthansa and Air India also said they were suspending flights to Riyadh following the attacks.
The Houthis also warned international airlines about operating in Saudi airspace and told people to stay away from oil facilities, which they said would be targets.
Attacks Continue Across Saudi Arabia
The latest incident came a day after Saudi authorities said Houthi-claimed attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports had killed three people.
Saudi Arabia has been supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government in its renewed fight against the Houthis. The conflict had been paused by a ceasefire in 2022 but has intensified again in recent weeks.
The Houthis have seized stretches of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi-backed forces have launched a counterattack to retake territory.
Turkey and Pakistan are also assessing possible defensive and technical assistance for Saudi Arabia. Turkey has said its support would be defensive rather than an offensive deployment.
