Riyadh Airport Reopens After Houthi Attack Kills Three
Saudi Arabia has reopened Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after a Houthi missile attack killed three Saudi nationals, including an airline pilot, and injured several others.
Three Killed in Riyadh Airport Attack
Saudi aviation authorities said the October 8 attack killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.
Several other people of different nationalities were wounded, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. The attack also caused material damage at the airport, including damage to a Saudia aircraft.
The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they had launched a ballistic missile towards King Khalid International Airport and struck the intended target.
Riyadh Airport Operations Resume
Saudi authorities said airport operations later resumed and air traffic returned to normal after the disruption.
The attack was part of a broader escalation in which Houthi forces have increasingly targeted Saudi airports and other strategic infrastructure.
Earlier strikes had also caused casualties at airports including Abha, while attacks were reported near Jazan and Najran.
Houthis Warn Airlines Over Saudi Airspace
The Houthis have warned international airlines against using Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina, saying commercial aviation could be exposed to growing risks as the conflict escalates.
The warning has heightened concerns over civilian aviation safety, with several international carriers suspending or adjusting flights to Saudi destinations.
Saudi-led forces have responded with strikes on Houthi positions and missile infrastructure in Yemen, including rocket-launch platforms allegedly used in attacks on the kingdom.
The renewed escalation comes amid intensified fighting in Yemen and growing instability around the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
