Houthi rebels in Yemen launched ballistic missile strikes on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh overnight Wednesday and early Thursday, causing significant damage to a parked commercial aircraft and killing at least three civilians. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in cross-border strikes by the Iran-backed group, which has intensified its campaign against Saudi targets in recent days.
Immediate impact and confirmed casualties
A Saudi state carrier Saudia Airlines plane was heavily damaged after catching fire while parked at Riyadh airport, with shrapnel from an intercepted missile or projectile striking the aircraft. Saudi officials confirmed that three civilians—including a Moroccan and an Algerian national in Abha, and a Sudanese national in Riyadh—were killed in the strikes. At least 36 others were wounded, with 28 injured in Abha and 8 in Riyadh. Saudi civil defense authorities reported that shrapnel from an intercepted missile near Riyadh struck a kindergarten and a medical clinic, causing material damage but no reported injuries.
Air travel disruptions and regional response
Following the attacks, Lufthansa and Air India announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh, citing safety concerns. Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted multiple ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, according to Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the coalition. The coalition also reported destroying a Houthi missile launch platform near Sanaa, which the rebels have controlled since 2014.
Houthi claims and stated objectives
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the Riyadh airport strike, warning workers to avoid energy plants in future targets. The group stated its campaign aims to pressure Saudi Arabia over its military support for Yemen’s UN-recognized government in the ongoing civil war. Saudi Arabia has framed its involvement as part of a coalition offensive to reclaim territory from Houthi control. The conflict, now in its ninth year, has drawn regional actors into the broader regional tensions involving Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Broader regional implications
The escalation has raised concerns about further destabilization in the Gulf, with reports suggesting Syria is considering deploying troops to assist Saudi Arabia. Arab leaders and regional organizations condemned the attacks as violations of international law. Bahrain described the strikes as “criminal” and jeopardizing civilian lives, while Jordan called them a violation of sovereignty. Saudi officials vowed retaliation, with al-Maliki stating that coalition operations have already destroyed 82 Houthi targets, including missile storage facilities and command centers.