Deadly Houthi attacks target King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh

On October 10 and 11, 2026, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched a series of lethal attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The strikes, which involved missiles and drones, resulted in at least 14 fatalities and over 300 injuries, marking the most significant disruption to Saudi civil aviation in over a decade. The airport experienced nearly a total cessation of operations, with 99.7% of flights cancelled on Sunday and approximately 60% expected to remain grounded on Monday.

The attacks occurred amid escalating regional tensions and an intensification of the conflict between the Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Following the initial strikes, the Houthis issued formal warnings to international airlines and airport staff, designating Saudi airports as active theaters of operations while excluding those in Mecca and Medina. The Saudi-led coalition responded by intercepting various projectiles, including a cruise missile and a drone near the capital and in the Eastern Province.

In response to the security crisis, the Federal Aviation Administration advised U.S. airlines to exercise caution, while numerous international carriers suspended services to Riyadh. Despite the airport’s temporary closure, the Saudi government has insisted that high-level energy conferences will proceed as planned, and officials have emphasized the necessity of a decisive response to these attacks.