Saudi Arabia confirmed that three individuals, including a pilot, were killed during missile strikes carried out by the Houthi armed group against Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. The attacks, which caused injuries and damage to property including a Saudia aircraft, temporarily disrupted airport operations. Saudi authorities stated that operations have now resumed, and air traffic is back to normal.
The Houthi group, based in Yemen and known for its Iran-backed support, claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile towards the airport. The group has issued warnings to aviation companies, advising avoidance of Saudi airspace except over Mecca and Medina, citing risks to aircraft. These recent attacks follow a pattern of targeting multiple Saudi airports, including Abha and Jazan, highlighting the intensification of the Yemen conflict.
The renewed violence is part of a broader escalation involving Yemeni forces and a Saudi-led coalition conducting offensives against the Houthis. Recent military developments include advances near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and increased air strikes on Houthi positions. The regional implications have prompted deployments of troops by Pakistan and Turkiye under mutual defense agreements with Saudi Arabia.
In diplomatic efforts, Yemen’s government and Saudi Arabia urged the United Nations Security Council to address the increasing threats to navigation and regional security. The situation underscores the ongoing instability in Yemen, which has broader implications for international peace and security in the Gulf region.
