The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Houthis defiant after deadly Riyadh airport strike: ‘We’ll keep attacking, don’t fly there’
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remained closed Sunday after a missile strike killed 12 and wounded 309; Western sources say no warning was issued before impact, while Trump is weighing US participation in Saudi strikes against the Houthis
A Houthi official statement renewed the group’s pledge to enforce a declared air blockade of Saudi Arabia, arguing that airports and airspace in the kingdom are “theaters of operations” for their forces.
The attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh involved a missile that exploded near Terminals 3 and 4, according to Saudi reports. The strike reportedly killed 12 people and wounded 309, with casualties including nationals from several countries.
Following the attack, King Khalid International Airport remained closed, and flight operations were suspended. Flightradar24 noted the closure extending into the following day, with operations not resuming.
The Houthis repeated warnings to airlines, airport staff, and passengers not to use Saudi airports or airspace, insisting that their objectives will be pursued with ongoing escalation. They asserted that all areas of Saudi Arabia are potential targets except Mecca and Medina.
The broader context includes ongoing clashes in Yemen, with renewed fighting around Bab el-Mandeb and mounting tensions between the Houthis and Saudi-aligned forces, amid warnings of further strikes and regional responses.