Saudi Arabia Shuts Riyadh Airport as Houthi Attacks Continue

· Security · Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport through the week after repeated Houthi drone and missile strikes, including a Saturday attack on a departure terminal that killed 13 people and injured more than 300. A further projectile hit the airport on Sunday, killing one and injuring 11. The Saudi-led coalition says it is intercepting fresh barrages aimed at the kingdom, while cancellations across Saudi airports have reached about 46 percent and airlines are rerouting around Riyadh. Energy officials vowed a "serious" response, and the FAA warned US carriers to exercise caution over Saudi airspace. Houthi officials warned of a "swift, painful response" if the US joins the war in Yemen and said workers at Saudi oil facilities and airports are legitimate targets.

Why it matters：The strikes expose the vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure and risk drawing the US deeper into Yemen, with knock-on effects for global oil supply and aviation.

Key points

  • Riyadh's King Khalid airport remains shut with flights suspended and cancellations across Saudi airports near 46 percent
  • Saturday's terminal strike killed 13 and injured more than 300; a Sunday projectile killed one and injured 11
  • Houthis warned US personnel and Saudi oil and airport workers are legitimate targets if Washington enters the war

Sources (original reporting)

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