Houthis Warn Saudi Airports After Deadly Riyadh Attack

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have warned airlines, passengers and airport employees to avoid Saudi Arabian airports and airspace following a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed 12 people and injured more than 300.

The warning, issued Sunday, follows Saturday’s strike, described as Saudi Arabia’s deadliest airport attack in over a decade. The Houthis declared Saudi airports potential military targets, excluding those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

In a statement posted on X, the group urged aviation companies, airport workers and travellers to take its warnings seriously, adding that Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for casualties resulting from unsuccessful interceptions.

The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia intensifies military operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. Riyadh has launched airstrikes and supported a Yemeni government counteroffensive after the Houthis captured strategic territory along the Red Sea coast.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Washington was considering participating in Saudi military strikes against the Houthis, raising concerns about further regional instability amid the broader Iran conflict that began in February.

Saudi-led coalition officials also reported that a projectile landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Saturday. Another drone was intercepted in the Eastern Province on Sunday.

Despite heightened security threats, Saudi Arabia confirmed that the five-day WPC Energy Congress would proceed in Riyadh. The international gathering, held approximately 10 kilometres from King Khalid International Airport, is expected to involve more than 70 ministers, 300 corporate executives and representatives from over 25 energy organisations.

An International Energy Forum ministerial meeting was also scheduled for Sunday, although uncertainty remained over whether participants would attend physically or remotely.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities suspended in-person education nationwide, shifting students, teachers and administrative personnel to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday.

Officials identified Saturday’s fatalities as four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and six individuals from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority temporarily halted operations at Riyadh’s airport while assessing damage and safety conditions. No reopening timeline was announced.

The latest strike marked the third attack on Riyadh’s international airport within a week. Two earlier incidents killed four people and severely damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft, underscoring growing threats to regional aviation security.