Missile hits Riyadh airport; Etihad and flydubai suspend flights, with flydubai cancellations extended through October 14

International media are reporting another ballistic missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Initial reports indicate that the missile struck Terminal 4 and started a fire, which emergency crews are working to extinguish.

The suspected attack came a day after a deadly strike that killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others.

Yemen’s Houthis have directly threatened Saudi aviation infrastructure, calling on airlines, employees and travelers to avoid Saudi Arabia’s airports and airspace.

Their warning signals a further escalation in the conflict between the Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels and Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari had previously declared that the kingdom’s airports and airspace were now “exposed to attacks” and had become a “theater of operations” for his forces. He exempted only the airports of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Sari ended his statement by saying, “Airport for airport, blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation,” and urged people not to underestimate the warning.

The threat followed the attack on King Khalid International Airport, which killed 12 people and injured 309, some seriously. Those killed included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Sudan and Palestine. It was among the deadliest strikes in Saudi Arabia in a decade.

In their statement on Sunday, the Houthis did not explicitly claim responsibility for Saturday’s attack. However, the group had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on the same airport that week, while Saudi authorities blamed the Yemeni rebels for the latest strike.

Saturday’s attack was not the only one. On October 8, the airport was hit twice; three Saudi nationals were killed, and one of the strikes hit a Saudia aircraft. Other airports, including Abha, had also been targeted in the preceding days.

Hours after the deadly attack, Saudi air defenses announced that they had intercepted another ballistic missile southeast of Riyadh, near the area where Prince Sultan Air Base is located.

The Saudi-led coalition, which supports the Yemeni government, condemned the attack and pledged to retaliate. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the coalition forces, said Saturday’s strike on the passenger terminal was a war crime under international humanitarian law.

“The attack on King Khalid International Airport is a terrorist act and will be met with a strong response,” Al-Maliki said in a statement published on X and carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

He attributed the attack to the Houthis and called it a “flagrant war crime” under international humanitarian law and customary norms, saying the strike violated fundamental principles and values.

Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces announced that warplanes had attacked Houthi positions, groups of fighters and vehicles in the al-Makrami, al-Jaisha and al-Salal hills, east of Taiz. Strikes also targeted the al-Muhaf fortress and the Balan area, south of the city.

Seven airstrikes were reported north of Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital.

According to the BBC, the consequences of the latest attacks extend beyond the loss of life and material damage. The British broadcaster’s security correspondent, Frank Gardner, believes the kingdom is facing one of its most serious domestic security threats since the al-Qaeda insurgency in the mid-2000s.

Riyadh’s concern stems from the fact that the Houthis appear to be focusing their pressure on infrastructure vital to the country’s economy and international image. Attacks on the capital’s main airport, energy facilities and air links could have economic and psychological consequences far broader than those of a purely military strike. The BBC’s analysis stresses that the damage can be repaired, but Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a safe and stable destination for business and tourism is taking a hit.

The repeated attacks have already caused major disruptions to air travel. Kuwait Airways, Etihad and Qatar Airways canceled flights to and from Riyadh, while passengers were urged to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

The repercussions have also affected daily life in the Saudi capital. Authorities temporarily moved Riyadh’s schools to remote learning, while King Khalid Airport faced prolonged operational restrictions after the attack.

The resumption of fighting in Yemen is one of the factors behind this new phase of the conflict. The Houthis, who control Sanaa and most of the country, have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia following renewed clashes with forces of the internationally recognized government, which is backed by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has also intensified its aerial bombardment of Houthi positions in Yemen. According to Yemeni media, Saudi warplanes struck Sanaa airport several times on Saturday.

The Houthis’ latest warning reflects this cycle of attacks and counterattacks. The group appears intent on making Saudi Arabia feel the cost of its military actions within its own borders, particularly by striking infrastructure of international importance.

Another concern for Saudi Arabia is whether it can cope with the large number of missiles and drones. According to international reports, Riyadh has asked the United States and other Western allies to provide more interceptor missiles, as the continuing attacks strain its air defense stockpiles.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he was considering U.S. support for Saudi operations against the Houthis. Such a move could draw Washington into another front in the Middle East.

The attack in Riyadh has prompted strong international reactions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a “dangerous escalation” and warned that strikes on critical infrastructure could disrupt global transport and energy supplies.

Britain, Germany and Iraq joined in condemning the attack. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” and warned that attacks on civilians and civilian facilities violate international law.

The concern now extends beyond another episode in Yemen’s war. The Houthis’ threat against almost all Saudi airports brings the conflict into the heart of international aviation and one of the world’s largest energy economies.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways and flydubai are canceling further flights to Saudi Arabia as air travel disruptions continue following the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

flydubai announced that flights to Riyadh and Abha have been canceled through October 14. The airline said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.