Houthis Attack Riyadh Airport Again, Hours After Reopening Announcement

Saudi Arabia: Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed to have attacked several important targets in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles. On Sunday, October 25, according to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarri, King Khalid International Airport and two military bases in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh were targeted as part of three separate military operations. However, Saudi officials did not immediately confirm these claims. This development has come to light at a time when flight services have been partially resumed at Riyadh Airport, which was affected for about two weeks after the recent attacks. 

Which targets did the Houthi rebels claim to have attacked?

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari said in a statement that the first operation was conducted targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. He claimed that the attack hit its intended target.

In the second campaign, it was said to target the King Khalid Airbase located in Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia. According to the Houthis, several important military facilities including aircraft parking areas, ammunition stores and drone control centers were attacked here.
The third operation claimed to target a Saudi Border Guard naval base in the Jizan area near the Yemen border. A Houthi spokesman also said Saudi soldiers and officers were killed or injured in the attack, but there was no independent confirmation of the number of casualties or the claim.

What is the status of flight services at Riyadh Airport?

Flight services were resumed on a limited scale at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 25 October. According to Saudi officials, domestic flights started operating from Terminal-1 and international flights of national airlines started operating from Terminal-2.

Earlier, the operation of the airport was stopped after the attack on October 10. Despite services now being restored, security concerns remain. Passengers are advised to check flight status from the official notices of the respective airlines and airports.

What did Saudi Arabia say about the missile attacks?

There was no immediate detailed response from Saudi officials to the latest claims by the Houthi rebels. However, the Saudi-led military coalition reported on Sunday that action had been taken to intercept several missiles and drones fired towards various parts of the country.

Tension has increased in the area due to continuous attacks and retaliatory military action. The ongoing threats against airports and military bases have increased concerns about security and air traffic. At present, there is no fully independently confirmed information available on the damage and casualties caused by the latest Houthi attacks.