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Twelve Dead, Flights Cancelled After Third Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport

Saudi operations suspended at King Khalid airport; Gaza strikes and Palestinian political moves also reported

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time3 min
At least 12 people are dead and more than 300 wounded after a third attack this week on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, an escalation claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Operations at the airport have been suspended, with hundreds of flights cancelled or diverted. Separately, Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians in Gaza, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, which the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said has led to the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport. The airport has been targeted multiple times this week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. Earlier attacks included a strike on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national and another on Thursday that killed at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, according to Saudi authorities.

The airport has advised passengers to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport. Flight-tracking site FlightAware reported at least 225 flights cancelled over the past 24 hours, and on Saturday flightradar24 showed all flights to Riyadh either diverted or cancelled. In Yemen, the country's Transport Ministry said the rebels attacked Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones on Wednesday.

Fighting has escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, with the coalition providing air support for government forces in an attempt to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Asked about the attacks on Friday as he left the White House, US President Donald Trump told reporters, "It's not good" and "I'm not happy". There has been no immediate sign of US military support for a response.

Saudi authorities warned the public this week that "filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability".

In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in two attacks on Saturday, according to health officials. Medics said four people were killed near Panda Mall in Gaza City and one in the Tuffah neighbourhood further south. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted militants. Israel has stepped up strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, saying the group has been rearming and carrying out attacks in violation of the ceasefire. Hamas denies the accusation and says Israel is undermining the US-brokered ceasefire agreed a year ago.

On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections, according to the report, which gave no further details.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • A major capital's international airport being struck repeatedly signals a significant escalation of the Yemen conflict and threatens regional stability.
  • The suspension of operations at King Khalid airport has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and diversions, disrupting international travel and air freight.
  • The strikes come as the Saudi-led coalition steps up its offensive, raising the risk of a wider confrontation that could draw in outside powers.

Background

Yemen has been mired in civil war since 2014, when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year. The conflict has involved repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory. King Khalid International Airport is the main gateway to Riyadh, and the recent coalition offensive has focused on reversing Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast.

Key Perspectives

Houthis: They claimed responsibility for the Riyadh strikes as a major escalation of their campaign against the Saudis, linking the attacks to the coalition's military offensive in Yemen. Saudi authorities: They suspended airport operations, told passengers to check flight status, and warned the public against sharing information about missile and drone impact sites, citing legal liability. United States: President Trump said "It's not good" and "I'm not happy" when asked about the attacks, but no immediate US military support has been signalled. Critics/Skeptics: There is no independent verification of casualty figures or responsibility. Attacks on civilian airports risk civilian casualties, and the cycle of strikes could prolong a devastating conflict. The Saudi warning about sharing information also raises concerns about restricting public reporting.

What to Watch

  • Whether Houthi attacks on Saudi airports continue or broaden, and whether the coalition escalates its air campaign in Yemen.
  • Flight tracking data at King Khalid airport, which will show if operations resume or if cancellations and diversions persist.
  • Any US decision to provide military support, apply diplomatic pressure, or push for a ceasefire in the conflict.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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