Saudi Arabia Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike in 2 Days as New Attack Sparks Fire

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike: On Sunday, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by a second projectile within 48 hours, leading to a fire in one of the passenger halls. A spokesperson for the Saudi military confirmed the incident and reported injuries as a result of the attack. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen stated that the projectile was “unidentified” and coincided with warnings from the Iran-backed Houthi movement for airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi airports. In response to the hostilities, Saudi air defenses successfully intercepted a cruise missile near the airport.

This attack follows a deadly strike on the airport just a day earlier, which resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals. In light of the recent assaults, Riyadh airport remained closed on Sunday, although the Saudi ministry assured that various conferences would still proceed as planned despite the ongoing security concerns. The Houthi movement has reiterated its warnings regarding the use of Saudi airports, further escalating tensions in the region. The airport in Saudi Arabia remains closed following a devastating attack on Saturday that killed 12 people and wounded over 300, marking the deadliest strike in the kingdom in over ten years amidst rising tensions between Houthi forces and the Yemeni government.

Houthi Missile Attack Details

Fire at Riyadh Airport , Saudi Air Defense Response

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike Although the airport is shut temporarily, the Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed that an international energy conference in Riyadh would proceed as planned on Sunday. The Saudi-led coalition reported that the attack on the airport focused on Terminal 4, though details were scarce. This assault followed a strike the previous day that resulted in 13 deaths and 308 injuries, contributing to a series of assaults targeting the airport in recent days.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike The Houthis claimed responsibility for these attacks and issued warnings to airlines and travelers regarding the use of Saudi airports and airspace. Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike They had targeted the airport with a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside drone strikes over the past 24 hours. Furthermore, the Houthis also struck oil facilities and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, stated they will continue their “escalating operations deep inside Saudi Arabia,” emphasizing that all Saudi airports, except those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, are potential targets. Earlier, the Houthis issued a warning via a statement on X, cautioning airlines, employees, and travelers against utilizing Saudi airports and airspace, deeming them susceptible to attacks and active conflict zones, with the exception of the airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike They emphasized the seriousness of their warnings, asserting that Saudi Arabia is accountable for any failures in intercepting such threats. The Houthis justify their actions as retaliation against Saudi Arabia support for government forces in the ongoing Yemeni civil war and in response to a recent airstrike on the airport in Sanaa. On the following Sunday, Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition, reported that air defenses had successfully intercepted a missile near Riyadh airport. Additionally, they were managing a fire caused by an “unknown projectile” that impacted Passenger Hall No. 4.

‘Worse is Yet to Come,’ Houthis Warn (Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike)

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike Saudi Arabia has intensified its military operations in Yemen, particularly targeting the Houthis and supporting Yemeni government forces following the Houthi capture of key territory along the Red Sea coast. In response, Yemen Houthi-run foreign ministry issued a warning that further Saudi military actions would provoke a stronger reaction from them, emphasizing a policy of reciprocity.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike The ministry declared, “Unless the Saudi enemy stops its aggression and interference in Yemen, worse is yet to come, God willing,” as reported by Al Masirah television. Additionally, President Donald Trump indicated that the United States is contemplating joining Saudi operations against the Houthis, a development linked to the broader conflict involving Iran, which has escalated since the US and Israel initiated military actions in February.

The recent strikes have highlighted weaknesses in Saudi Arabia defense capabilities amid its ongoing air campaign against the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran. This campaign is part of a broader effort to support the Yemeni government in its ground conflict with the Houthis. In the aftermath of the attacks, the airport has remained shut down since Saturday. Nevertheless, a scheduled international energy conference proceeded in Riyadh on Sunday, consistent with prior arrangements.

International Energy Conference Still Going Ahead

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike The five-day World Petroleum Congress (WPC) Energy Congress is currently underway at a convention center located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the nearest airport. State television reports indicate that over 70 ministers, more than 300 executives from various companies, and representatives from over 25 international energy organizations have confirmed their attendance. However, it remains unclear whether these participants will be attending the event in person or participating virtually.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike Additionally, a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum is scheduled to take place on Sunday, featuring a plenary session that will be held behind closed doors, as stated in a media advisory. Further details about this session have not been released.Saudi authorities announced the suspension of in-person classes and the transition to remote learning for all students, teachers, and administrative staff from Sunday to Thursday.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike This decision comes in the wake of a Saturday attack, which marked the third assault on Riyadh airport within a week, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals. Among the deceased were 4 Saudis, 2 Bangladeshis, and citizens from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Prior to this attack, four people had already been killed in two separate incidents at the same airport earlier in the week, one of which inflicted significant damage to a Saudi commercial aircraft parked on the tarmac.

Renewed Fighting in Yemen Raises Fears of Wider Regional Conflict

Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV reported an airstrike by “the Saudi enemy” on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen, although Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm this incident and the BBC has been unable to verify it. Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, the vice-president of Yemen internationally recognized government, has called for immediate and decisive actions from regional and international allies to address the escalating violence. This violence follows an attack on Riyadh airport that occurred on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of three Saudi nationals; the Houthis have claimed responsibility for this strike, asserting that they used cruise missiles.

Additionally, there have been two other deadly assaults on Saudi airports in Abha and Riyadh in the two days prior to the recent strike. This increase in hostilities comes after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi-led forces, which had been brokered in 2022 and ended in July. The conflict has intensified, especially after the Houthis captured strategically vital areas along the Red Sea coast during a swift military campaign, prompting counterstrikes from Saudi forces. Yemeni pro-government forces later reported that they had regained control of those regions.

Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike Currently, the Houthis govern approximately a quarter of Yemeni territory and control about 80% of the population. The Iran-backed armed group ambition appears to be the complete takeover of Yemen, a scenario that worries Saudi Arabia as it could lead to the establishment of an Iranian satellite state adjacent to its southern border. Riyadh Airport Hit by Houthi Strike

Summary

• Air defences intercept missile near airport, coalition says
• Houthis renew warnings against using Saudi airports
• Twelve people killed in attack on airport on Saturday
• Riyadh airport remains closed on Sunday
• Conferences going ahead in Riyadh despite attacks, Saudi ministry says