Houthis Issue New Warning to Avoid Saudi Airports After Deadly Attack

By Jana Choukeir, Maha El Dahan and Timour Azhari

DUBAI/RIYADH, Oct 11 (Reuters) — Yemen’s Houthis cautioned airlines, travelers, and airport staff on Sunday to steer clear of Saudi airports, one day after an assault on Riyadh’s international airport claimed 12 lives and injured more than 300 individuals.

This event represents the most severe attack in the kingdom in over a decade, unfolding against a backdrop of intensifying hostilities between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia.

“We reiterate our alert to all airlines, specialists, employees, workers, and travelers against utilizing Saudi airports and airspace, as they are susceptible to attacks and have become operational zones for our forces, excluding airports in Mecca and Medina,” the Houthis stated via X.

“We emphasize the importance of heeding our warnings, and Saudi Arabia will be held accountable for any unsuccessful interceptions.”

In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has amplified its military engagement in Yemen, conducting strikes against the Houthis and supporting a Yemeni government counteroffensive after the group captured strategic Red Sea territories.

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States is evaluating participation in Saudi-led strikes against the Houthis, a development stemming from the broader conflict with Iran that the US and Israel initiated in February.

The Saudi-led coalition reported on Saturday that a projectile landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Eastern Province, and also intercepted a drone in the area on Sunday.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE PROCEEDS IN RIYADH

Saturday’s attack led to the temporary shutdown of King Khalid International Airport, yet the Saudi energy ministry confirmed that the long-arranged international energy conference would still take place in Riyadh on Sunday.

The five-day WPC Energy Congress is being held at a convention center approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the airport. State television indicated that over 70 ministers, 300 company executives, and representatives from more than 25 international energy organizations have confirmed their attendance.

It remained uncertain whether participants would attend in person or virtually.

Additionally, a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum is scheduled for Sunday, with its plenary session conducted behind closed doors, as per a media advisory. No further details were immediately disclosed.

Separately, Saudi authorities informed parents that in-person classes would be suspended and transitioned to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday for all students, teachers, and administrative personnel.

In Saturday’s attack, the third on Riyadh’s airport within a week, the 12 fatalities comprised 4 Saudis, 2 Bangladeshis, and nationals from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt, according to Saudi officials.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority halted airport operations temporarily for damage and safety evaluations, without providing a timeline for flight resumption.

Two earlier attacks on Riyadh’s international airport earlier in the week had resulted in four deaths and significant damage to a Saudi commercial aircraft on the tarmac.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir, writing by Andrew Mills, Editing by Gareth Jones)

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