YEMEN’S Houthi group has claimed responsibility for fresh attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, just hours after the kingdom announced that flights had resumed.
The airport’s website showed several domestic and international flights operating on Sunday, including arrivals from Dubai, Paris and Cairo. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 also showed some departures, although most flights remained cancelled.
The resumption of operations came amid renewed security concerns after an explosion rocked Riyadh early on Sunday, following text alerts warning residents of an enemy threat targeting the city.
AFP cited Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree subsequently saying the group had conducted three military operations involving dozens of ballistic missiles, claiming that the strike on the airport had hit its target.
Saudi authorities had not commented on the latest alleged attack or provided further details about the extent of the airport’s resumed operations.
Saree said the group had also targeted King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait and a naval base in Jazan, both in southern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis have launched several waves of attacks on the Riyadh airport. An earlier strike this month reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300, marking the deadliest incident in more than a decade.
The disruption to Riyadh airport has dealt a major blow to Saudi Arabia, with a major investment conference organised by the kingdom’s leadership postponed until 2027 as residents sought alternative routes into and out of the country.
The Dakar Rally motor racing event has also joined a growing list of events cancelled, postponed or relocated because of the war.
Saree had previously warned that Riyadh airport remained “unsafe” and was among the group’s military targets.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces warn all international, regional and local airlines, as well as their staff and travellers, against using King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, as it is unsafe and a military target for our forces,” he said.
“The Saudi regime will bear the consequences of any operations at the airport.”
Saree also claimed on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had carried out 56 attacks on Yemen in the preceding 24 hours. - October 26, 2026