Houthi militants intensify drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia

On November 2, 2026, the Saudi-led military coalition announced the interception and destruction of two drones over the Riyadh region. This followed a series of Houthi militant attacks over the preceding 48 hours, which included drone strikes against the airport in Dammam and an early warning radar system in Jizan, where a transport aircraft was also targeted. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria confirmed these operations, later stating on November 4 that the group had targeted the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, coinciding with a safety warning issued by Saudi civil defense authorities.

These hostilities reflect a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and large parts of Yemen for over a decade, recently launched surprise offensives in western Yemen to consolidate control over the strategic Bab el Mandeb Strait. Last month, Houthi attacks caused the two-week closure of Riyadh airport, which only resumed partial operations in late October. The situation remains volatile as the Saudi-led coalition continues efforts to counter these frequent aerial threats.