Airlines halt or divert Riyadh flights after Houthis claim missile attack on King Khalid Airport

Cairo, Oct 8: Several explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at the city's international airport, a witness told The Associated Press, a day after the kingdom said an attack on the airport killed one person and wounded others.The blasts had an immediate effect on markets and oil prices as the price of crude jumped, and Saudi Arabia slid further into the latest front in the Iran war.Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen claimed responsibility for the new attack on King Khalid International Airport, saying the ballistic missile caused damage but giving no evidence. The Saudis had no immediate comment about the claim.Saudi forces intercept Houthi missilesThe spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, said they intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh, along with a ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait, in the southwest near the Yemen border.The Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks against Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days. Early Thursday, the rebels warned global airlines “for the last time” about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which it called a theatre for its military operations.In their new statement, the Houthis also warned people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities that “represent targets for our forces" as the rebels press a blockade they recently imposed against the world's top oil exporter.Witness says travellers were told to leave luggage and goKing Khalid International Airport “closed again,” the Flightradar24 monitor said Thursday afternoon on X not long after the blasts. “Last landing 80+ minutes ago. Last takeoff 90+ minutes ago.”Fire and ambulance crews deployed and smoke was visible, the witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.The witness said outgoing flights were halted and passengers were instructed to leave checked-in luggage behind and evacuate. It was not immediately clear how many flights were disrupted.Houthi Attacks Hit Saudi Arabia's Abha, King Khalid Airports, Leaving 3 And 36 Injured Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict | VideoWednesday's deaths were the first since major military offensiveOn Wednesday, Saudi officials said attacks on the Riyadh and Abha airports claimed by the Houthis had killed three people — the first deaths since Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major ground and air offensive against the rebels.The offensive is aimed at retaking territory that the Houthis seized a month ago along Yemen's western Red Sea coast and on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rebels' presence on the Bab el-Mandeb poses a threat to the crucial shipping alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has been curtailed due to Iran's attacks on ships.The deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia brought condemnation from countries including Britain, India, the United Arab Emirates and others amid fears of an escalation.Also Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said forces destroyed a platform in Yemen's rebel-held capital of Sanaa that had been used to launch attacks on the Saudi capital. The AP could not independently verify these claims.Also Watch:Pakistan and Turkiye consider assistanceTurkiye and Pakistan are assessing possible air defence, electronic warfare and technical assistance for Saudi Arabia under a trilateral agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, while stressing that the deal is defensive, not offensive.“Turkiye will not be sending troops into another country's territory to carry out an attack,” he said, adding that Ankara was trying to resolve the issue through diplomacy.Saudi Arabia has sought support from allies, including the United States, in the face of the Houthis' attacks.Pakistan's Information Ministry on Thursday said relevant authorities would provide details of any military involvement if necessary.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Air India and Air India Express have suspended their operations to and from Riyadh until October 10, 2026, Air India officials said, PTI reported.Flight AI2243 had taken off from Delhi and was flying south over Gujarat, and then over the Arabian Sea, when the pilots turned the aircraft around and headed back towards Delhi, according to a TOI report. The report said that the turnaround came amid heightened concerns over safety in Saudi airspace after Houthi attacks on airports, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.Also read: Flying gets costlier from October 9: Air India, Air India Express join Akasa Air in fuel surcharge hike; here's what you'll payNew blasts in RiyadhSeveral explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at the city's international airport, a witness told The Associated Press. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the new attack on King Khalid International Airport. They said a ballistic missile caused damage but gave no evidence. Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on the claim, AP reported.Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, said forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh. They also destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Khamis Mushait in the southwest, near the Yemen border. The airport "closed again" on Thursday afternoon, flight tracker Flightradar24 said on X, noting that the last landing was more than 80 minutes earlier. The witness told AP that fire and ambulance crews were deployed and smoke was visible. Outgoing flights were halted and passengers were told to leave checked-in luggage and evacuate, the witness said. It was not clear how many flights were affected.AP reported that the blasts had an immediate effect on markets, and crude oil prices jumped.Attacks on Saudi airportsSaudi authorities said Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were targeted in attacks on October 6 and 7. Three people were killed and 36 were injured across the two airports. At Abha, two people were killed and 28 wounded. At Riyadh, one person was killed and eight were injured.Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility. He said the group hit Saudi airports with ballistic missiles and drones in "response to the Saudi aggression against our country". He also claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out "60 airstrikes and missile attacks in the past 24 hours". This claim has not been independently verified.Also read: Houthis claim new attack against airport in Saudi capital as witness reports evacuationEarly on Thursday, the Houthis warned global airlines "for the last time" about the consequences of flying through Saudi airspace. They described the airspace as "a theater for our military operations". Airspace over Mecca and Medina is exempt, according to TOI. AP reported that the group also told people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities that "represent targets for our forces", as it presses a blockade it recently imposed on the world's top oil exporter.The Iran-backed group has stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on its energy and other infrastructure. On Wednesday, the US Mission in Saudi Arabia asked American citizens to be extra vigilant. It warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.

Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks against Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days.

Airlines are canceling flights to Riyadh after the Houthis struck two airports in Saudi Arabia in recent days, killing three people and injuring dozens.

As of 8:41 a.m. EST on Thursday, 38% of all scheduled departures from King Khalid International Airport had been canceled, while 28% had been delayed, according to Flightradar24.

India on Thursday strongly condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s international airports in Riyadh and Abha, which reportedly caused civilian casualties. New Delhi described the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “completely unacceptable” and expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and its people.India Condemns Attacks, Expresses Solidarity With Saudi ArabiaThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement condemning the attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.“India condemns the attacks over the past few days targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.”“The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We wish speedy recovery for those injured,” the ministry said.“We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it added.Houthis Claim Ballistic Missile Strike on Riyadh AirportIndia’s response followed a claim by Yemen’s Houthi fighters on Thursday morning that they had struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, hitting the target “with precision”.Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a post on X that the strike had disrupted airport operations. He also warned international airlines against flying through Saudi airspace, except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, threatening “consequences” for those who ignored the warning.The attacks come amid escalating hostilities between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The group has targeted Saudi cities, energy facilities and shipping routes, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis.India Calls for De-escalation and Safe Navigation in West AsiaIndia has repeatedly urged all sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in West Asia. New Delhi has also condemned attacks on the United Arab Emirates, commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure across the region.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has maintained that attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. He has also stressed the importance of ensuring safe navigation and uninterrupted trade through international waterways.India recently condemned an attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off Oman’s coast, in which one Indian seafarer was reported missing and 13 others were rescued.The issue of Houthi attacks also featured in discussions between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. India expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Red Sea and condemned attacks on Saudi territory, including civilian infrastructure and economic assets.New Delhi has previously warned that Houthi attacks threaten regional security and freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It also expressed concern over an attempted attack near Mecca and called for peace and stability in the region.Donald Trump To Honour Elon Musk, Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin With Top US Science MedalPakistan, Turkey Reaffirm Defence Commitments to Saudi ArabiaThe latest developments have brought renewed attention to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in September. Under the pact, an armed attack on any one of the three countries is considered an attack on all, with the agreement intended to strengthen military cooperation and collective deterrence.Military chiefs from the three countries recently reaffirmed their commitment to Saudi Arabia’s defence and condemned attacks targeting Mecca and Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Houthi attacks and described any further strike on Mecca as a “red line” for Islamabad. Addressing the United Nations, Sharif said the attempted drone attack on the holy city had outraged Muslims worldwide and warned against threats to its safety and sanctity.Pakistan and Turkey also agreed earlier this week to activate collective defence measures under the Mecca Defence Alliance and facilitate the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia.In a joint statement, the three countries condemned alleged attempts to strike Mecca and Medina, along with attacks on Saudi cities, civilian facilities and economic installations.Also Watch:Blasts Heard in Riyadh, Diplomats Asked to Take ShelterMeanwhile, multiple explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, AFP reported. Diplomats were subsequently instructed to take shelter inside their respective embassies.Residents told AFP that international schools had also taken precautionary measures, with one institution moving children into a basement for safety.Some companies evacuated employees from the area, according to two people working in Riyadh’s business district who spoke to AFP.

India condemns the attacks over the past few days targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, MEA said in a statement

India's remarks came after three people reportedly died and 36 others were injured following the strikes on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport that took place separately on October 6 and 7.