Houthi militants launch drone and missile attacks on Riyadh

On the evening of October 5, 2026, loud explosions were reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing significant concern among local residents who described windows shaking near the international airport. The Houthi rebel movement, known as Ansar Allah, officially claimed responsibility for the operation on Monday. Yahya Saria, the group's military spokesperson, confirmed that the attacks were carried out using drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Targets reportedly included the Riyadh International Airport, an ARAMCO refinery located in Rabigh, and various military and aviation facilities in the southern part of the country.

In response to these developments, the Saudi-led coalition conducting operations in the Yemeni civil war announced reciprocal strikes against military targets in the port city of Hodeidah, which is currently under Houthi control. The coalition spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, stated that their forces are actively engaging these targets in the Red Sea region. This escalation highlights the ongoing volatility in the regional conflict, with the Houthi movement frequently targeting Saudi infrastructure as part of their long-standing confrontation with the coalition. No further details regarding casualties or structural damage from either side have been confirmed by official authorities as of the latest reports.