Houthis claim missile strike on Riyadh airport, airlines suspend flights to Saudi capital

Witnesses report explosions and smoke at King Khalid International Airport as regional tensions escalate

By LineZotpaper

Published9 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claim they have struck Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile, badly damaging a parked Saudia Airlines commercial plane and prompting Lufthansa and Air India to suspend flights to the Saudi capital. Saudi authorities have not commented on the claim, but three people briefed on the matter told Reuters that shrapnel from an interception or another projectile left a plane heavily damaged after catching fire while parked at a terminal on Thursday.

The Houthis provided no evidence for the attack, and Saudi Arabia did not immediately issue a statement. However, witnesses reported hearing explosions in Riyadh, including a large blast at King Khalid International Airport. One witness told the Associated Press that fire and ambulance crews were deployed, and a video verified by Reuters showed a thick column of black smoke and flames rising from the airport. The witness said outgoing flights were halted and passengers were instructed to evacuate.

Lufthansa and Air India confirmed they were suspending flights to Riyadh. According to aviation data firm Cirium, almost half of departures from the airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday, with 31 more cancellations expected for Friday across all Saudi airports. Three people briefed on the matter said no passengers were believed to have been on the damaged plane at the time, but they could not rule out injuries.

The attack comes after Saudi authorities said on Wednesday that three people had been killed this week in strikes on Riyadh airport and Abha airport in the country's southwest. The Houthis escalated their campaign on Thursday, attempting to shut down the kingdom's airspace and warning workers to stay away from energy plants, which they said would be targeted. Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted missile hit a kindergarten and medical complex in Riyadh.

The Houthis say they are targeting the kingdom over its support for government forces in Yemen's reignited civil war. Saudi Arabia says it is backing an offensive by Yemen's UN-recognised government to take back territory from the Houthis. The Houthis have made a lightning advance across Yemen's coastal plain over the last month, appearing to gain ground in the country's south-west as the group approached the city of Taiz. Independent observers warned the group could capture Taiz, with some signs that government-aligned forces were pulling back to secure the major port city of Aden.

Riyadh is due to host a major meeting of energy policymakers, the WPC Energy Congress, this week.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack threatens civilian air travel and safety in the Saudi capital, with major international airlines suspending services.
The escalation risks drawing regional powers further into Yemen's civil war, which has already caused a humanitarian crisis.
The timing, coinciding with Riyadh hosting the WPC Energy Congress, highlights the Houthis' ability to disrupt key diplomatic and economic events.

Background

Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when Houthi forces seized the capital Sana'a. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government. The conflict has largely been in a military stalemate, but recent weeks have seen a Houthi lightning advance across Yemen's coastal plain, threatening the city of Taiz. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have escalated their strikes on Saudi Arabia, claiming retaliation for its support of government forces.

Key Perspectives

Houthis: The group claims it is targeting Saudi infrastructure and airspace to pressure the kingdom to end its military support for Yemeni government forces. They have warned workers to stay away from energy plants and are attempting to shut down Saudi airspace. Saudi Arabia: Saudi authorities have not commented on the latest claim but have confirmed casualties from previous strikes. They continue to back a government offensive to reclaim Houthi-held territory. Saudi officials reported debris from interceptions hitting civilian areas. International observers: Analysts and witnesses note the severity of the escalation, with independent observers warning the Houthis could capture Taiz and potentially threaten Aden. The attack on Riyadh airport, a civilian target, raises concerns about the conflict's impact on regional stability.

What to Watch

Duration of flight suspensions by Lufthansa, Air India and other airlines to Riyadh and other Saudi airports.
Houthi military progress toward Taiz and any signs of government forces collapsing or pulling back to Aden.
Whether the WPC Energy Congress proceeds as scheduled or is affected by the security situation.

Sources

Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport as airlines suspend flights to Saudi capital — World news | The Guardian