Yemen’s Houthi militia has threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and airspace, describing them as legitimate targets while excluding the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The warning followed repeated strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and other sites, forcing the airport to remain closed until at least 17 October and prompting Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways to suspend services to Saudi Arabia.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group carried out four operations within 24 hours using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. The claimed targets included King Khalid airport, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an Aramco refinery and a gas facility. Saudi authorities also reported projectiles near Dammam and Al-Kharj.
The most severe reported strike occurred on 10 October, when a projectile hit a passenger terminal at Riyadh airport. Saudi authorities initially reported 12 deaths and more than 300 injuries; a subsequent death raised the toll to 13. A further strike the following day killed one person and injured 11, while damage was also reported at Dammam airport.
Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam. Etihad cancelled services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights suspended through 19 October. The casualty and damage figures remain based largely on claims by the parties to the conflict and have not been independently verified in every detail.