Saudi Arabia suspends flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport after Houthi missile attack

The Houthis say they are targeting the kingdom over its support for government forces in Yemen’s reignited civil war.

The attacks disrupted flights to the Saudi capital as Riyadh intensified airstrikes in Yemen and the Houthis threatened further strikes on Saudi airspace and oil facilities.

Several people were injured in an explosion at Riyadh’s international airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of passengers from parts of the facility, according to eyewitnesses and sources familiar with the incident. Two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the development told Reuters that the blast left multiple people wounded. One witness […] Many injured as explosion rocks Saudi Arabia’s airport

Multiple people are wounded and flights grounded after a second attack on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital.

The missiles landed direct hits on Terminals 3 and 4 of the King Khalid International Airport, Saudi officials said.

Asked Saturday if Washington would provide military support to Saudi Arabia in retaliating against the continued offensives from the terror group, Trump left the door open.

Several people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh’s international airport in Saudi Arabia, leading to evacuations and flight cancellations by major airlines Read More: https://punchng.com/many-feared-wounded-in-saudi-airport-blast-travellers-evacuated/

Saudi authorities suspended operations at Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday after a fresh attack there left multiple people wounded. The Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed an attack had injured several people at the sprawling King Khalid International Airport, with a diplomatic source attributing it to a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The situation prompted health officials to activate a rare mass call-up of doctors to deal with the “serious emergency”, a medical source said, while foreign embassies warned their citizens to avoid the facility. Houthis have repeatedly targeted the facility, claiming a series of strikes on Thursday that killed three people and damaged a plane, though they did not announce any new attacks on Saturday. A witness at the airport reported hearing an explosion while waiting to board a flight, and another said they saw a strike that left people wounded and fleeing in panic. “I was on gate 403” at the domestic terminal, the witness told AFP. “I saw 401 hit, I saw injured [people] in front of my eyes. Everyone was running.” A medical source told AFP that the health ministry had ordered ER doctors to report to hospitals around the capital to treat the wounded on Saturday. “We were told we are dealing with a ‘serious emergency situation’. Injured are being moved to hospitals across Riyadh”, with many in critical condition, the source said. The aviation authority said the number of injured from the attack was still being assessed, adding that airport “operations had been temporarily suspended pending the completion of an assessment of the damage and verification of the safety of the facilities”. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers after a truce in their long-running war with Yemen’s coalition government unravelled in July. A source at a local hospital said five people were in intensive care there after being wounded at the airport, with “dozens of people injured” in all. A relative of one wounded person said they had been hit in the shoulders and arms by shattered glass. Three witnesses confirmed people being evacuated from the airport. Two doctors told AFP that several pilgrims headed to Makkah had been injured while waiting to board their flight. A diplomatic source briefed on the matter told AFP the airport was hit by “a missile around 3:00pm” (5pm PKT). “Houthis are attacking civilian targets. Riyadh airport is a civilian target,” the source said. Embassy warnings The Yemen conflict flared back to life after a four-year, UN-brokered truce collapsed, months into a wider Middle Eastern war that has rocked the region and roiled energy supplies and markets. The scale and frequency of the recent strikes targeting Riyadh are unprecedented in the eight months of war in the region. Saudi Arabia leads an international coalition that supports Yemen’s government militarily, and has found itself drawn deeper into its impoverished neighbour’s civil war. Both Riyadh and the Houthis have signalled a willingness to keep fighting rather than pursue diplomacy. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia said it was “aware of attacks” on Riyadh airport on Saturday and called on American citizens to avoid the area. The Canadian, German and Spanish embassies also warned their citizens to avoid the facility. Spain’s embassy, in a message on X, alerted nationals to a “new attack… by the Houthis”. A senior Western diplomat told AFP that several embassies “indicated that they had decided to prohibit their staff’s travel to/from Riyadh Airport over the next week as a prudential step”. Near the airport, passengers carrying luggage could be seen standing on the pavement at a metro station. Yemen fighting Meanwhile, in Yemen, Saudi-led government forces were advancing against the Houthis in areas they captured last month around the Bab al-Mandab strait, military sources told AFP. The Yemeni government last week announced a counter-offensive aimed at retaking all areas held by the Houthis, after the group seized the country’s entire western coastline in a lightning offensive. The Houthis confirmed that government forces had attacked in the Bab al-Mandab area — a key chokepoint for Red Sea oil and cargo shipping — but they claimed to have repelled the assault. Claims by the warring parties have been impossible to independently verify, with the situation moving fast on the ground and access for journalists difficult.

Fresh attack launched on Saudi Arabia as kingdom prepares to host investment summits

Operations suspended at King Khalid International Airport after another attack this week, Civil Aviation Authority says.

Saudi authorities on Saturday said that they had suspended operations at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport after a new attack there left multiple people wounded. An attack on the airport by the Houthis on Thursday killed three people and damaged a plane, though the Iran-backed group did not announce any new attacks on Saturday.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi authorities suspended operations at Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday after a fresh attack there left multiple people wounded. The situation prompted health officials to activate a rare mass call-up of doctors to deal with the “serious emergency”, a medical source said, while foreign embassies warned their citizens to avoid the facility. The Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed an attack had injured several people at the sprawling King Khalid International Airport, with a diplomatic source attributing it to a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis. The Iran-backed group has repeatedly targeted the facility, claiming a series of strikes […]...Keep on reading: Riyadh airport suspends operations after attack leaves several wounded

The violence comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again today, according to officials, as an urgent evacuation was triggered at the international travel hub.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again today, according to officials, as an urgent evacuation was triggered at the international travel hub.

Airlines suspended services and aviation authorities warned of growing risks as renewed attacks intensified concerns over Saudi Arabia’s airspace.

Riyadh airport attack triggers evacuation as SaudiHouthi conflict widens

Travellers evacuate parts of Riyadh airport after a blast wounds many people, as flights divert or cancel amid a worsening security crisis.

Saudi airport attacked again: Missile strikes passenger terminal, many injured - top developments

Shocking footage and images online show plumes of smoke billowing from the major international airport.

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has already been targeted multiple times this week amid intensified fighting between Yemen-based Houthi rebels and a Saudi-backed coalition.

Mass Casualties In New Houthi Missile Barrage On Riyadh's International Airport On Saturday Yemen's Houthis have once again pummeled Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Ryiadh with a volley of ballistic missiles. A major emergency response has ensued with dozens of ambulances at the scene, and a total evacuation of the major flight hub. In this fresh instance, which comes after multiple attacks on the kingdom's civilian aviation hubs stretching back at least a week, there appears to be mass casualties as a result. Result of the prior October 8 attack on Riyadh's international airport, social media via ReutersArrivals have been canceled across the board for much of Saturday, according to flight tracker Flightradar24, with passengers that were already in the air having been diverted to other cities. "Terminal 3 of the King Khalid International Airport suffered a direct hit from missiles and has been evacuated, with at least some injuries, Saudi officials said," reports The Wall Street Journal. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions rock the airport. "Several ambulances and a few helicopters were sent to collect the wounded and take them to King Fahad hospital in Riyadh, one of the officials said," the report continues. "A video the official said was authentic showed blood smeared on the floor." ⚡️JUST IN: The Floor of Saudi Riyadh International Airport is covered in Blood following Houthi Missile Strikes Dozens of Ambulances are rushing toward the Airport https://t.co/Bh2SqXbQLZ — Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) October 10, 2026 Various countries have increasingly warned their citizens against flying in and out of Riyadh, including the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, and others. These travel alerts have especially increased in the wake of Thursday's deadly missile attack on the airport, which saw one or more parked plane destroyed and three people killed, including a pilot. Mass casualties are being reported via Reuters/CNN: Many people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday, according to two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter, and travelers were evacuated from parts of the facility. One of the eyewitnesses reported seeing an explosion and then seeing multiple people lying injured on the ground inside the airport. More than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing to the airport. Saudi authorities have been slow to acknowledge or officially comment on these attacks, or give much in the way of details. Clearly, anti-air defenses are failing to intercept all inbound missiles from Yemen, and Thursday's attack also saw missile debris fall on a medical center in the capital. The WSJ report further underscores a major area of sensitivity for the royal family: "The continued missile attacks on airports in Riyadh and a number of southern Saudi cities threaten to choke off business travel and tourism just as the busy conference and travel season gets going," it writes. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport being EVACUATED, following a reported Yemeni ATTACK earlier today — Clash Witnesses describing panic and injuries, as flights are diverted or canceled, with smoke visible near one of the terminals https://t.co/I7mAQHS1Hq — RT (@RT_com) October 10, 2026 "A major test will come with the kingdom’s flagship Future Investment Initiative summit, which is expected to draw thousands of global executives and investors to Riyadh at the end of this month," the publication also notes. "Conference officials said before the Saturday attack that safety is their top priority and that comprehensive safety measures will be in place," it adds. No confirmed numbers yet, but Reuters is reporting "many" wounded at Riyadh's int'l airport, according to eyewitnesses. @flightradar24 currently has King Khalid International Airport as the #2 most disrupted airport, showing 305 flights canceled and 226 flights delayed. https://t.co/aGuHX7Rigc — Intel Doge (@IntelDoge) October 10, 2026 The conference which gathers leaders from across the world is set for October 26 to 29, 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. So far there's been no indication that authorities will either cancel or change the venue. The Houthis in neighboring Yemen are expected to keep up the pressure, also as Aramco sites get targeted, amid the ground war and fight for Red Sea coastal areas. Tyler Durden Sat, 10/10/2026 - 12:45

There was no immediate statement from the Houthis claiming responsibility for Saturday’s incident.

Airport in Saudi Arabian capital was evacuated and official says many people were wounded

The latest attack on Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport is the third such attack in a week, with the previous two claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi.

The latest attack on Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport is the third such attack in a week, with the previous two claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi.

Many people have been wounded in a blast at Riyadh's international airport, according to eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter, while travellers have been evacuated from parts of the facility.

The latest attack follows just two days after three Saudi citizens were killed in Houthi-claimed attack on Riyadh's international airport on Thursday.

By Timour Azhari and Enas AlashrayRIYADH, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Many people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, according to two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter, and travellers were evacuated from parts of the facility.One of the eyewitnesses reported seeing an explosion and then seeing multiple people lying injured on the ground inside the airport. More than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing to the airport.

By Timour Azhari and Enas AlashrayRIYADH, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Several people were wounded in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Saturday that forced a suspension of operations, the country's civil aviationauthority said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but it comes amid an escalation of missile strikes by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis against Saudi Arabia.

The suspected attack comes a day after Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed two deadly attacks on the Riyadh airport.

One official said the Riyadh airport had been evacuated, and the other said air traffic had stopped.

King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times this week.

People being evacuated from Riyadh airport People at Riyadh's international airport were being evacuated from the facility on Saturday, three witnesses told AFP, as officials issued a travel alert urging travellers to confirm their flight status before heading there. Reuters reported earlier that several eyewitnesses and people briefed on the matter had heard a loud explosion at the airport in the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh.

CAIRO (AP) — The airport in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, was attacked again on Saturday and evacuated, two regional officials said, two days after three Saudi citizens including a pilot were killed as the kingdom faces an extraordinary series of assaults in the new front in the Iran war.

More than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing ​to the airport

Missile attacks on airports are spooking travelers and threatening another pillar of the kingdom’s growth.

BEIRUT — An airline pilot was among three Saudi citizens killed in attacks targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia airlines plane, the kingdom’s civil aviation authority said Friday. Several people “of different nationalities” were wounded. Thursday’s attacks were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighboring Yemen launched a major military offensive against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels last weekend. The attacks also marked a significant escalation on the latest front in the Iran war, which has kept oil prices and financial markets volatile . U.N. special envoy Hans Grundberg told the U.N. Security Council that the situation in Yemen remained “highly fluid,” with civilians bearing the brunt of escalating violence in a country already facing dire humanitarian conditions and food insecurity. Airlines cancel flights to Saudi Arabia By Friday afternoon, at least 124 flights to and from Riyadh had been canceled after hundreds more were canceled a day earlier, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Air In

Two killed in Saudi strike on Sanaa airport, Houthi media says Houthi media reported on Friday that Saudi strikes on the airport in the capital Sanaa killed two people, a day after the group launched strikes against Riyadh’s own air hub, which killed three people. Separately, the civil defence agency in the Yemeni capital reported extinguishing four fires caused by Saudi strikes, including one it said destroyed a factory. A plume of smoke rises during a reported air strike by the Saudi-led coalition on the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa, on 9 October 2026 (AFP)

Yemen’s Houthis are striking Saudi Arabia as they seek to capture Aden. Riyadh’s allies are staying out of the conflict, bringing an Iranian victory closer. Houthis deliver a painful blow to Riyadh airport Saudi Arabia has confirmed that three civilians were killed in yesterday’s missile attack on an airport in Riyadh by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. One of the victims was a captain with Saudia Airlines. The attack dealt a deeply humiliating blow to the monarchy. For religious and ideological reasons rooted in the Sunni-Shia divide, Saudi Arabia has long been an adversary of the Houthi movement Ansar Allah, which seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and overthrew the government, which subsequently relocated to Aden. Russia, incidentally, recognises the government based in Aden. Yemenis could have been left to settle their internal disputes themselves, but Riyadh chose to intervene and took the lead in a coalition of Arab countries seeking to restore its allied Sunni forces to power by military means. The attempt failed, and the conflict settled into a prolonged, low-intensity war. Saudi aircraft regularly launched massive strikes against Houthi positions, including in Sanaa, while imposing a blockade on the city.

Explosions at Riyadh’s main airport have left three Saudi nationals dead, including an airline pilot, Saudi authorities said, after Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for a string of strikes targeting the facility. The escalating violence underscores how Yemen’s war has spilled across the border, with the Iran-backed Houthis intensifying attacks on Saudi targets even as they […]

The attacks on October 8 were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighbouring Yemen launched a major military offensive against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels last weekend

Saudi Pilot Among 3 Killed In Riyadh Airport Attack; Houthis Under Pressure On Red Sea Coast Saudi Arabia has finally reopened King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Friday following attacks by the Houthis that killed three people and injured several on Thursday, and caused widespread flight suspensions and delays in the region. Airport facilities and aircraft were hit in the attack, with at least one Saudi Airlines passenger plane having been destroyed. The airline announced that tragically one of its pilots was killed. "It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami," the national airline announced. In total three people were killed in the Thursday attack on the airport, and three others injured, with unconfirmed but widely circulating images appearing to show extensive damage. The most severely damaged aircraft was on the ground and without passengers at the time it was struck, national reports say. The country's General Authority for Civil Aviation announced in a social media post, "The attacks also resulted to injuries to a number of citizens and residents, ranging from minor to severe, and were immediately transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary medical care." And Saudi Airlines subsequently stated: "Saudia's flights and operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh returned to normal as of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The airline continues to monitor flight schedules and communicate with passengers through its official channels." There was further damage in the capital as a result of the Thursday Houthi ballistic missile launches: Some diplomats said they had received warnings, and some schools in Riyadh told parents there were orders to shelter in place, though authorities did not issue a public alert. Reuters could not identify the source of the booms. According to the Saudi Civil Defense Directorate, shrapnel fallout from a missile interception caused damage to a children's nursery and a medical clinic in Riyadh. The State Dept has issued a new travel warning for Americans, after earlier telling diplomats to stay away from Riyadh's international airport: Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment. Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly. Americans traveling to and from the Middle East should monitor information about airport and airline operations. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions. Read the latest country-specific alerts at: https://t.co/ouQakQVHet — TravelGov (@TravelGov) October 8, 2026 Previously, three people had been killed across the kingdom from Houthi attacks Tuesday into Wednesday, with 36 injured, in attacks leading up to the Thursday ballistic missile assault on Riyadh. Over in Yemen, the Saudi-backed forces are claiming key gains around the Bab al-Mandeb coastline amid intense fighting. Saudi-funded Al Arabiya is meanwhile hailing on Thursday that "Yemen's armed forces take complete control of Bab al-Mandeb after clearing the area, military sources say." The Houthis have since issued a statement saying the opposite: Houthi spokesperson says that the Saudi's made no progress and repelled the Saudi-backed troop advancement towards the Bab el-Mandab Strait Contradictory reports abound on the status of the fight for Yemen: SABA citing a military source: The enemy's forces, which are attempting to attack the southern part of Bab al-Mandab and are originating from the Lahij province, have been targeted. The attack has been repelled, resulting in dozens of casualties (killed and wounded) and the destruction and disabling of several vehicles. — barry with the NED (@bonzerbarry) October 9, 2026 However, independent conflict observers have noted the fighting is still fierce, and that Saudi reports of the retaking of large territory has been premature, exaggerated, or else false - amid an ongoing fog of war. Tyler Durden Fri, 10/09/2026 - 11:40

Saudi authorities confirmed Friday that Thursday’s first attack struck airport facilities and the second hit a Saudia aircraft.

Saudi Arabia and its allied forces in Yemen vowed a "firm response" to Houthi attacks that target civilians. The kingdom's authorities said three Saudi nationals were killed in Thursday's attack on Riyadh airport.

A deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport marks a new escalation in the Iran war as oil prices and air travel stay volatile

Three Saudi citizens have been killed and several other people injured in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh

The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government has widened, with the Iran-backed fighters staging repeated attacks on Saudi targets since they began a lightning offensive just across the border.

Saudi Arabia has seen several attacks by the Houthis in recent days, with airports appearing to be the primary target.

Three Saudi nationals were killed and several others injured after two attacks struck Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, damaging facilities.

Saudi Arabia says missile strikes by Iran's Houthi allies killed three people at Riyadh's airport as fighting escalates in the Middle East conflict's new epicenter.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation authorities say that the latest attack targeting Riyadh's international airport and an aircraft killed three Saudi citizens

Three Saudi citizens, including an airline pilot, were killed in attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, the country's civil aviation authority said.

Three Saudi citizens have been killed and several other people injured in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh

Attacks were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in Yemen launched a major military offensive against Houthi rebels last weekend

The escalating violence has brought the conflict in Yemen to the doorstep of the Saudi capital, and the kingdom has no easy options to curtail the increasingly sophisticated and targeted strikes.

Operations at the airport have since returned to normal, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said.

Two attacks were launched on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport Thursday, officials said.

Thursday's attacks on Riyadh airport killed ​three people, Saudi authorities said on Friday, as Yemen's Houthi group stepped up missile strikes on the kingdom and tried to shut down its airspace in an escalating war triggered by the US-Iran conflict. The strikes, which also injured several people, damaged a Saudia Airlines ​plane and sent ‌smoke billowing over the airport, led many airlines to cancel flights to the Saudi capital ⁠days before it is due to host a major meeting of global oil chiefs.

Saudi Arabia has said three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, have been killed in attacks on Riyadh's international airport.

Saudi aviation authorities say three Saudi citizens including a pilot were killed and several other people wounded in two attacks Thursday that were claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels

An airline pilot was among three Saudi citizens killed in attacks targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft, the kingdom's civil aviation authority said on Friday. Several people "of different nationalities" were wounded.

Two missile strikes on King Khalid International Airport forced diplomats to shelter in place and delayed dozens of flights, as Yemen’s government claimed progress in its Red Sea counter-offensive. Houthi forces said they were holding their ground.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that three people were killed including a pilot, in attacks on Riyadh’s international airport, after Yemen’s Houthis claimed a series of attacks targeting the facility. The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has widened, with the Iran-backed fighters repeatedly attacking Saudi targets since they began a lightning offensive just across the border. While seizing large swathes of territory along the Red Sea coast in Yemen, the Houthis have...

The missile attacks come amid an escalation in fighting between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's government.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said two attacks on Thursday targeting the airport and a Saudia Airlines aircraft killed three Saudi citizens.

Thursday's attack marked the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighbouring Yemen launched a major military offensive last weekend against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Three Saudi citizens have been killed attacks on Riyadh airport that were claimed by Houthi rebels, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

Three Saudi citizens have been killed attacks on Riyadh airport that were claimed by Houthi rebels, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

By Timour Azhari and Tala RamadanRIYADH/DUBAI, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Thursday's attacks on Riyadh airport killed three people, Saudi authorities said on Friday, as Yemen's Houthi group stepped up missile strikes on the kingdom and tried to shut down its airspace in an escalating war triggered by the US-Iran conflict.The strikes, which also injured several people, damaged a Saudia Airlines plane and sent smoke billowing over the airport, led many airlines to cancel flights to the Saudi capital days before it is due to host a major meeting of global oil chiefs.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that three people were killed including a pilot were killed in attacks on Riyadh's international airport, after Yemen's Houthis claimed a series of attacks targeting the facility. The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government has widened, with the Iran-backed fighters staging repeated attacks on Saudi targets since they began a lightning offensive just across the border.

Deadly barrage prompted several international carriers to suspend flights

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said on Friday that three Saudi nationals ​were killed and several people were injured in ‌two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. In a statement on X, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said the ​first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second ​struck an aircraft belonging to Saudi state carrier Saudia. The ⁠injuries ranged from minor to severe, and the attacks ​caused material damage, it said, adding that airport operations had ​resumed and air traffic had returned to normal. Separately, the kingdom’s national carrier confirmed that a Saudia Airlines pilot was killed, and an aircraft was damaged at Riyadh airport. “It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami,” the Saudi flag-carrier said in a statement, citing an “incident” at King Khalid International Airport. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Thursday they had attacked the airport with two cruise missiles. The group also ​said it had targeted an airport in the southwestern city ​of Najran, a claim Saudi authorities have not confirmed, and an airbase ‌in ⁠Khamis Mushait with ballistic missiles. 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 latest confirmed casualties come after Saudi authorities ​said on Wednesday that three people were killed in ​earlier ⁠strikes this week on Riyadh airport and Abha airport in the southwest of the country. The conflict, now an overspill of the ⁠US-Iran ​war, has stoked further upheaveal in ​a region already destabilised by the wider war, and threatens to draw other ​states into mountain fighting.

Cairo: Three Saudi citizens were killed, including a captain with the national airline, and several other people “of different nationalities” were wounded Thursday in attacks targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia Airlines aircraft, the kingdom's civil aviation authority said Friday.#Statement Two attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft.#GACA pic.twitter.com/6YnBN717Cw— هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) October 9, 2026 It marked the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia since it and allied forces in neighbouring Yemen launched a major military offensive last weekend against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.Houthis claim airport missile attack Thursday's first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck the aircraft, the statement said. It did not identify those responsible, though the Houthis claimed to have targeted the airport with a ballistic missile. BREAKING: A Houthi attack reportedly destroyed a Saudia Airlines aircraft at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.According to Reuters, the plane was believed to be empty at the time of the strike. The incident comes amid escalating attacks… pic.twitter.com/RlhhTRU1kh— Tapas Ranjan Nath (@nathtapas) October 9, 2026 ⚔️ Explosions in Riyadh as the Houthis claim a second missile strike on King Khalid airport this week; Saudi coalition says it intercepted the missilesSeveral explosions were heard across Riyadh on Oct. 8, including a large blast near King Khalid International Airport, a… pic.twitter.com/v1YY3NGVsd— The Informant (@theinformant_x) October 8, 2026 Among the dead was Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, the Saudia Group said in a statement. It appeared to be the first confirmed attack on the Saudi national carrier since the new offensive began. A separate Saudia Group statement said one of its aircraft was damaged while it was on the ground and with no passengers on board.Airport reports casualties and injuries The airport in the Saudi capital has come under multiple attacks in recent days, with a Sudanese national killed there earlier this week.A pilot for Saudi Arabia’s national carrier “Saudia”, Captain Hamoud Ali al-Kalthami, was among three Saudis killed in two Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport last night, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. “Saudia” says one of its… pic.twitter.com/a67JNFE33X— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) October 9, 2026 Friday's aviation statement on injuries to citizens and people of other nationalities "ranged from minor to serious.”Airport operations return to normal The Saudia Group statement indicated that operational activities at the airport returned to normal as of 6 pm Thursday, hours after the attack.What Is Operation 'Dawn of Yemen'? President Rashad Al-Alimi Launches Offensive Against The Houthis Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had destroyed three rocket launch platforms used by the Houthis to threaten regional security.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Four killed in attacks on Riyadh airport, Saudia confirms employee’s death Three Saudi citizens were killed in two separate attacks on Riyadh airport, while several people of other nationalities sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious, Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority said.  The first attack targeted airport facilities and the second struck a Saudi Airlines aircraft, the authority added. Saudi Arabia's national airline said one of its employees was killed in Thursday's attacks against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which also left an aircraft on the ground damaged. Saudia added that the aircraft had no passengers on board and that flights and airport operations resumed on Thursday. Statement from #Saudia https://t.co/2pXOpwIgTs — Saudia Group | مجموعة السعودية (@SaudiaGroup) October 9, 2026

It marked the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia since it and allied forces in neighboring Yemen launched a major military offensive last weekend against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said on Friday that three Saudi nationals were killed and several people were injured in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. In a statement on X, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck an aircraft […]

Three Saudi Arabians were killed and others were injured in two attacks on the main airport in the capital, Riyadh, on Thursday, Saudi authorities said, as the kingdom faces intense fire from the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation reports that three Saudi citizens were killed and several other people wounded in two attacks Thursday

The group said it had struck Riyadh airport and warned workers to stay away from energy plants, which would be targeted.

The group said it had struck Riyadh airport and warned workers to stay away from energy plants, which would be targeted.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed a missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with reports of a Saudia Airlines aircraft catching fire after being damaged. Lufthansa and Air India have suspended Riyadh flights amid escalating attacks on Saudi airports

A Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed three missile launch platforms used by the Houthis

Almost half of departures from the Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT yesterday, with more cancellations expected for Friday

Saudi Arabia leads a pro-government coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen's civil war. The Iran-backed group has repeatedly targeted Riyadh since the conflict roared back to life in July, vowing to hit critical infrastructure and disrupt Saudi airspace.

Saudi Arabia leads a pro-government coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen's civil war. The Iran-backed group has repeatedly targeted Riyadh since the conflict roared back to life in July, vowing to hit critical infrastructure and disrupt Saudi airspace.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on claims, but confirmed three killed in airport strikes earlier this weekYemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis say they have struck Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh ⁠airport with a ballistic missile, badly damaging a plane and leading some airlines to suspend flights to the capital.The group provided no evidence, and Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the claim. Continue reading...

Houthis escalated their campaign of strikes against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, seeking to shut down the kingdom's airspace.

• Houthis fire missiles at Riyadh airport, airbases; kindergarten, clinic complex damaged by debris• Lufthansa, Air India suspend flights to Saudi capital; half of all departures cancelled• Nothing in Makkah pact bars members from joining Yemen fight, says Kh Asif• Ankara calls accord ‘purely defensive’, rules out sending troops; Syria weighs deployment RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi forces escalated their campaign against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, attempting to shut down the kingdom’s airspace and oil facilities with missile fire that disrupted flights and damaged a kindergarten and medical complex. Lufthansa and Air India said on Thursday they will suspend flights to Riyadh as the Yemeni group renewed threats against airlines, after claiming a third attack on King Khalid International Airport. According to data compiled by aviation analytics company Cirium, 49.7pc of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT, with 31 more cancellations expected for Friday across all Saudi airports. Flight tracker FlightRadar24 also showed numerous delayed arrivals and departures. The airport did not acknowledge the disruption, pointing only to the “necessity” of contacting airlines before travelling. A thick black column of smoke and flames rose from Riyadh airport in a video verified by Reuters. A witness and three people briefed on the matter said a stationary commercial plane had caught fire and caused the smoke, though the fire was later put out. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched two ballistic missiles at Riyadh’s airport, one at an airport in Najran and another at an airbase in Khamis Mushait. Saree also ordered workers at Saudi oil facilities to evacuate days after the group hit a major refinery south of the capital. Around the same time, the Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh and another toward Khamis Mushait. Shortly after, Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency posted on X that “interception debris” had fallen in Riyadh, causing material damage to a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex, without specifying if there were any casualties. After loud booms echoed across Riyadh on Thursday morning, several multinational firms in the King Abdullah Financial District told staff to work from home or evacuated employees, according to people familiar with the matter. Diplomats were instructed to shelter in place at their embassies, and at least one international school sent children into a basement for safety. Defence pact As Saudi Arabia pushes for allied support to reverse Houthi gains, regional states are weighing their involvement under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Following an emergency alliance meeting in Riyadh earlier this week, members have agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in the kingdom. But while both Ankara and Islamabad have pledged support for Riyadh, Turkish and Pakistani officials offered contrasting interpretations on Thursday regarding whether the pact is strictly limited to territorial defence, or permits direct military involvement. In Turkiye, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ruled out sending troops to confront the Houthis. “This is a defence agreement,” he said. “If one of the countries is attacked, you support its defence. This is not an offensive agreement.” Turkiye “will not send its troops to another country’s territory to launch an attack,” he stressed. Meanwhile in Pakistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told ARY News on Thursday that no stipulation in the Makkah pact bars alliance members from getting “directly involved” if one member faced a threat. “To defend one of the member countries, the remaining two would get involved as if they were defending themselves,” Mr Asif said, though he separately told Geo News that while Pakistan and Turkiye had a “presence in the theatre”, only Saudi troops were involved in combat operations. Separately, the Ministry of Information on Thursday dismissed a New York Times report claiming Pakistan Air Force aircraft were being used against the Houthis as “fake and fabricated”, having earlier termed a Reuters report claiming the deployment of 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops as “speculative”. “International media houses are again asked to avoid speculative reporting with regards to employment of Pakistan’s military forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” it added. Meanwhile, Damascus is also said to be considering options for military support, including defensive aid for Saudi Arabia or an offensive deployment against the Houthis, according to US and Syrian defence officials. “Should Saudi Arabia request any military cooperation or exchange of expertise, this would take place exclusively through official channels and within the framework of the bilateral agreements governing relations between our two brotherly countries,” the diplomat said. On Thursday, oil prices jumped more than five per cent, then pared gains after President Donald Trump said the US will not launch an attack on Iran before midterm congressional elections in November. Brent crude futures were up $3.48, or 3.5pc, at $103.73 a barrel by 1641 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $2.69, or 3.1pc, to $91. Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026

Lufthansa and Air India said they were suspending flights to Riyadh after Houthi attacks

Watch: At least one plane severely damaged as Houthis claim third Riyadh airport attack Yemen's Houthis said they had targeted Riyadh's airport for a third time on Thursday, hours after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted missiles fired in an earlier attack.   Ansar Allah military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had launched two missiles at the Riyadh airport, one at an airport in Najran and another at an airbase in Khamis Mushait.   At least one plane was severely damaged at the Riyadh airport on Thursday, AFP reported, citing two sources briefed on the matter. At least one plane severely damaged as Houthis claim third attack on Riyadh airport https://t.co/zPbahCwpKk — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 8, 2026

The Saudi civil defense agency said a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh were damaged by debris from a missile interception on Thursday, as Yemen's Houthis announced attacks targeting the capital's airport.

Houthi missile attacks have disrupted hundreds of Riyadh flights, raising fresh doubts over Delta's imminent Saudi Arabia launch.

A Saudia Airlines aircraft has been pictured in flames with smoke rising from it at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, in Saudi Arabia, with the Houthi claiming responsibility for an attack

Shocking images show the aircraft debris scattered.

Yemen's Houthis announced three separate attacks targeting the airport on Thursday.

A fresh claim of a missile strike on Saudi Arabia’s main airport in Riyadh has intensified scrutiny of an escalating cross-border campaign tied to Yemen’s widening war. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group said today that it had attacked King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh with a ballistic missile. The announcement came just hours […]

Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital, including a large blast at Riyadh's international airport, where flights were subsequently halted.

By Gianluca Lo NostroOct 8 (Reuters) - Lufthansa Group airlines and Air India will suspend flights to Riyadh, they said on Thursday, as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis renewed threats against airlines after claiming an attack on the Saudi capital's airport.A Lufthansa spokesperson told Reuters the German group's airlines would suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16 due to "current developments in the Middle East". Air India said it had cancelled all flights to the Saudi capital until October 10.

By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Vallari SrivastavaOct 8 (Reuters) - Lufthansa Group and three Indian airlines will suspend flights to Riyadh, they said on Thursday, as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis renewed threats against airlines after claiming an attack on the Saudi capital's airport. A Lufthansa spokesperson told Reuters the German group's airlines would suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16 due to "current developments in the Middle East". India's largest airline IndiGo said it had cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh until October 9.

The Houthis escalated their campaign of strikes against Saudi Arabia, trying to shut down the kingdom's airspace and oil facilities with missile fire that has killed three this week.

At least one plane severely damaged as Houthis claim third Riyadh airport attack Yemen's Houthis said they had targeted Riyadh's airport for a third time on Thursday, hours after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted missiles fired in an earlier attack. Ansar Allah military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had launched two missiles at the Riyadh airport, one at an airport in Najran and another at an airbase in Khamis Mushait. At least one plane was severely damaged at the Riyadh airport on Thursday, AFP reported, citing two sources briefed on the matter. One source said at least one plane had suffered catastrophic damage, while the other said three planes had been hit.

Houthi rebels in Yemen say they have struck ‌Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia, where witnesses saw smoke billowing from a plane.

Houthi rebels in Yemen say they have struck ‌Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia, where witnesses saw smoke billowing from a plane.

Lufthansa, Air India suspend flights to Riyadh airport after Houthi attacks Lufthansa Group and Air India will suspend flights to Riyadh, they said on Thursday, as Yemen's Houthis claimed an attack on the Saudi capital's airport. A Lufthansa spokesperson said the German airline group would suspend flights to Riyadh through 16 October because of "current developments in the Middle East". Air India said it had cancelled all flights to the Saudi capital until 10 October. The Houthis said earlier on Thursday they had struck Riyadh airport and warned workers to stay away from energy plants. Witnesses saw smoke billowing from a plane at the airport. Saudi officials said that debris from an intercepted missile had hit a kindergarten and medical complex in the capital, and that there’s “material damage.”

The Iran-backed Houthi insurgents of Yemen claimed responsibility on Thursday for attacking King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh with a ballistic missile. The post Houthis Claim Ballistic Missile Attacks on Saudi Airports, at Least Three Killed appeared first on Breitbart.

Flights were disrupted after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels reportedly targeted Saudi Arabia, including a missile fired towards Riyadh International Airport.

Three persons were killed and 36 others were injured following attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports on Wednesday. Several explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday as well

The Houthi rebel group claimed it successfully struck Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in the capital city of Riyadh with two ballistic missiles launched overnight Wednesday and early Thursday morning. The ballistic missile airstrikes come during a week of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to the Saudi airports. Saudi Arabia has given […]

Explosions Rock Riyadh's International Airport Amid Houthi Attack, Travelers Evacuate King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has come under Houthi attack once again on Thursday, and may have suffered a hit, as eyewitnesses have told Reuters of smoke rising from an aircraft at the major travel hub in the Saudi capital. Some new, unverified shocking images emerging... 🚨BREAKING: Footage Confirms Yemen Destroyed A Saudi Aircraft At Riyadh International Airport The incident has caused airlines around the world to cancel flights to the Saudi capital. Yemen is imposing a no-fly zone in retaliation for attacks on its civilian population. https://t.co/NydL1KtCqa — MintPress News (@MintPressNews) October 8, 2026 Witnesses were also cited in The Associates Press as having heard "several explosions" - after which an urgent evacuation notice was given. The Houthis in Yemen have been going after airports as well as Aramco oil facilities. In two separate attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the kingdom's Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport were targeted by Houthi missiles. The AP details of the Thursday flight stoppage in Riyadh as follows: King Khalid International Airport “closed again,” the Flightradar24 monitor said Thursday afternoon on X not long after the blasts. “Last landing 80+ minutes ago. Last take off 90+ minutes ago.” Fire and ambulance crews deployed and smoke was visible, the witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized 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. Footage shows a massive plume of smoke rising from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is now the most disrupted airport in the world, Ansarallah ballistic missile attacks are becoming a daily occurrence. https://t.co/JwD3ouVNd6 — MoloMonitor 🇮🇹 (@MoloWarMonitor) October 8, 2026 The prior 72 hours has seen three civilians killed and 36 injured in Houthi-claimed attacks across Saudi Arabia. "An Egyptian and an Algerian national were killed at Abha airport, and a Sudanese national was killed at the airport in Riyadh, the agency said, with 36 people wounded in the attacks," Middle East Eye details.   On Thursday, Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said his forces intercepted and destroyed a pair of Houthi ballistic missiles on Riyadh and towards Khamis Mushait. As for the latest airport attack, which has reportedly shut down the international hub, the Houthis are claiming responsibility and say there was a direct hit and damage, while Saudi authorities have remained silent in the initial hours. All of this, plus last evening's headlines that President Trump is mulling a new bombing raid on Iran possibly before the November midterm elections, has pushed oil prices higher throughout the Thursday morning hours... Over in Yemen, fighting has intensified in the Taiz region and in rural areas. Al Jazeera details: Fighting is raging in al-Shamayatayn, al-Maafer and the southern and western countryside of Taiz governorate. The Houthis are pushing into rural areas that have not seen conflict for years, aiming to open a supply route because their lines towards al-Kadaha and al-Waziiya, which link Aden, Lahij and Taiz, are nearly cut off by advancing government forces. Those forces are moving towards al-Waziiya and the Kahboub Mountains overlooking Bab al-Mandeb. Government forces expected a dangerous escalation over the next 48 hours after the defense minister said Houthi-held areas will be recaptured soon. Government forces reported more than 2,000 operations, including attacks, supply line cuts, repelled attacks and territory retaken. The three deaths reported by the Saudis on Wednesday are the first civilian deaths reported in the kingdom since the conflict with the Houthis was renewed several weeks ago. Saudis have issues a Travel Alert for King Khalid airport in Riyadh. After Houthis struck a Parked aircraft. The airport has nearly shutdown with most flights now being canceled! https://t.co/BglBkTeRXA — Ali (@MerruX) October 8, 2026 Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is likely going to press allies harder to join the counteroffensive against the Houthis in Yemen, after Pakistan and Turkey have announced defense assistance based on the Mecca Defense Pact. Tyler Durden Thu, 10/08/2026 - 10:40

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.)

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency said a kindergarten and medical complex in Riyadh were damaged by shrapnel from an intercepted missile, hours after explosions rattled Riyadh

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.

The Houthis have claimed an attack on King Khalid International Airport

Hundreds of flights to and from the Saudi capital were canceled or delayed on Thursday, with passengers being urged to check with airlines before heading to the airport.

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.

Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital, including a blast at Riyadh airport that halted flights.

Houthis claim ballistic missile strike on Riyadh airport smoke seen rising from plane

The cause of the blasts was not immediately known and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

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

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed Thursday that they had hit Saudi Arabia’s main international airport in Riyadh with a missile, while Saudi authorities said three people were killed and 36 wounded in attacks on two international airports. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on X that the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile and disrupted airport operations. “Our armed forces successfully targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, which accurately struck its target and disrupted airport operations,” Saree said. ...

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.