Escalation of missile attacks on Riyadh international airport

Riyadh has faced a series of missile and drone strikes targeting its critical infrastructure, including the King Khalid International Airport, over the past week. On Monday night, residents received mobile alerts regarding an aerial threat shortly before explosions were reported in the capital. While Saudi authorities claim the coalition successfully intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles—one aimed at Riyadh and two at Khamis Mushait—Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree maintained that their forces successfully hit the airport and a military base.

Casualty figures and the timeline of these events remain a subject of conflicting reports. While Monday's incident resulted in no immediately confirmed casualties, previous attacks over the weekend caused the death of 14 people, with an additional Pakistani national killed and 11 others injured on Sunday. Some sources indicate that over the last week, at least 18 people have been killed and 300 injured in four separate attacks, noting a prior lack of public warnings. In response to the regional volatility, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, with some cancellations extending until October 19.

In retaliation, Saudi Arabia conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi strongholds in the Saada province of northern Yemen. The situation remains fluid as regional tensions heighten, with international observers raising concerns regarding the effectiveness of early warning systems and the ongoing security crisis.