The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Yemen's Houthi claim strikes on Riyadh airport after deadly attack
Iran-backed Houthi claimed strikes on Riyadh airport terminal less than a day after a Houthi attack killed 12 people. The attack led to Riyadh’s airport shutdown and drew condemnation from the UN and EU, as the Houthis renew their threats and Washington considers its response.
Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed a four-wave attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with strikes reported to have hit the facility on Sunday after a deadly assault the previous day. The timing follows what the group described as a larger offensive initiated on Saturday, which resulted in fatalities and injuries among passengers and staff.
Riyadh’s international airport remained closed on Sunday, with authorities extending the suspension of flights into Monday as the situation was assessed. Officials indicated that radar and communications equipment were damaged and that runways required assessment before any resumption of operations.
The attacks came a day after a deadly assault at the airport, an incident described by authorities as the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade. The coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis blamed the group for the strike and signaled a decisive response.
The incident prompted a broader international response, with leaders and organizations condemning the violence and warning of risks to civilian aviation and regional security. The U.N. and European Union officials urged cessation of attacks and emphasized the need to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
Airlines temporarily adjusted or canceled services to Riyadh as the situation developed. Some carriers extended suspensions or altered schedules, and airports urged travelers to verify status with their airlines amid ongoing safety assessments and security advisories.