Houthis escalate attacks against Saudi Arabia

On Thursday,  8 October, the Houthis launched a fresh wave of attacks against Saudi Arabia. Several explosions were heard in the capital, Riyadh, and the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on King Khalid International Airport. They alleged that a ballistic missile had caused damage but provided no evidence. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, stated that the coalition had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh, as well as another missile launched towards Khamis Mushait, in the southwest near the Yemeni border.

The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent days. On Thursday, they warned international airlines of the dangers of continuing to operate and told people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities. The militia has been attempting to disrupt air traffic and operations at the kingdom’s oil facilities this week through a barrage of missiles that has so far killed three people.

King Khalid International Airport was reportedly closed again on Thursday, with fire and ambulance crews deployed and smoke visible, according to a witness speaking on condition of anonymity. The witness claimed that departing flightswere halted and passengers were instructed to evacuate, leaving their checked-in luggage behind. Lufthansa and Air India have suspended flights to Riyadh following the attack. Saudi officials have also stated that debris from an intercepted missile had struck a kindergarten and a medical complex.

References:

Islam, L. (2006). Kingkhaled international Airport – panoramio [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kingkhaled_international_Airport_-_panoramio.jpg

Associated Press (2026, October 8). Explosions heard in Saudi capital as Riyadh airport is reported closed. CNN.https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/08/middleeast/riyadh-airport-houthis-explosion-intl

Azhari, T., & Maccioni, F. (2026, October 8). Plane billows smoke at Riyadh airport as Houthis escalate attacks. Reuters.https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/syria-considers-help-yemen-war-after-saudi-airports-come-under-houthi-fire-2026-10-08/