Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has remained closed following a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement, significantly disrupting air traffic and raising security concerns across the region. Since October 6, Saudi authorities have confirmed five separate strikes on the airport, with the most severe attack occurring on October 10, which killed at least 13 people and injured over 300, according to Saudi officials.
The October 10 strike targeted the airport’s facilities, including Terminal 4, which was set on fire by a subsequent projectile on October 11. The Saudi civil aviation authority extended the airport’s closure amid ongoing assessments of damage. The disruptions have led to widespread flight cancellations—data showed that 99.7 percent of scheduled flights were canceled on Sunday, with multiple international carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and Etihad, suspending services to Riyadh through October. Governments from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain have issued cautions advising their citizens to avoid the airport. Additionally, metro services serving the airport were suspended, and schools in Riyadh shifted to online learning due to security concerns.
The Houthi-affiliated group Ansarallah, allied with Iran, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesperson, stated that in a 24-hour period around October 11, Yemeni forces launched multiple strikes, including three waves against King Khalid Airport, a direct hit on King Fahd Airport in Dammam, and assaults on Saudi Aramco facilities in the Eastern Province. Saree warned airlines, airport staff, and travelers that Saudi airports—aside from those in Mecca and Medina—were unsafe, placing responsibility for any interception failures on Saudi authorities.
Saudi officials acknowledged challenges in countering the missile and drone attacks, reportedly running low on interceptor missiles and reallocating air defense assets between vulnerable sites such as palaces and energy infrastructure. Riyadh’s defenses have been under strain as the ongoing conflict intensifies, with government sources indicating the military has conducted extensive air raids in Yemen in response.
The attacks come amid a broader escalation in the Saudi-led coalition’s campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen. Since August, the coalition intensified military operations, including an air offensive aimed at retaking territory lost along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Despite this, the Houthis have maintained the capability to launch strikes deep into Saudi territory, including major urban centers and critical infrastructure. The conflict has exacted a heavy toll on Yemen, with humanitarian organizations reporting widespread food insecurity amid prolonged blockades and bombardments.
The escalating hostilities have cast a shadow over Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, which seeks to position Riyadh as a safe regional hub attractive to investment and tourism. The closure of the kingdom’s main international airport undermines these ambitions, contributing to a downturn in foreign investment and the withdrawal of some multinational corporations from major conferences and events. The security situation also complicates preparations for upcoming international sporting events scheduled in Saudi cities, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Despite the security crisis, Riyadh proceeded with hosting the World Petroleum Council Energy Congress beginning October 11, albeit with some major oil companies absent from the conference. The kingdom continues to seek international support, with reports indicating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested urgent assistance from the United States. However, Washington has so far limited its involvement to intelligence sharing and advisory roles, avoiding direct military engagement amid concerns about escalating regional tensions and the approach of U.S. midterm elections.
The Houthis have issued repeated warnings that further Saudi military actions will provoke intensified retaliation. Their foreign ministry emphasized that unless the coalition ends its operations and blockade in Yemen, the conflict may escalate further. As the standoff continues, both sides face mounting pressures—militarily, economically, and diplomatically—with Riyadh’s ambitions for stability and growth increasingly challenged by the persistent conflict.