Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Houthi Attacks Hit Saudi Airports as Regional Pact Faces Scrutiny
The Houthis and forces supporting Yemen’s government are fighting, and the conflict has also involved attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities reported that missiles were fired toward Riyadh and that airports in Riyadh and Abha were hit.
One report said three people died and 36 were wounded in an earlier round of airport attacks.
A separate report described another Riyadh airport strike that killed three Saudi nationals and damaged a Saudia plane.
Saudi-backed forces said they struck Houthi military targets in Yemen, while the Houthis said civilian places were hit.
The reports also describe fighting over territory and disruption to supplies in Yemen.
Türkiye said it would not send troops to Yemen.
Pakistan said its forces were in Saudi Arabia in a defensive role, not to fight in Yemen.
Air India cancelled Riyadh flights until October 10 after the earlier attacks.
Saudi authorities reported attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports; a separate report said a Saudia aircraft was damaged in another Riyadh airport strike.
The earlier airport attacks killed three people and wounded 36; a later report said three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, were killed and others wounded.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted two missiles aimed at Riyadh; shrapnel damaged a kindergarten and medical complex, and Air India suspended Riyadh flights until October 10.
Saudi-backed forces claimed to have destroyed 82 Houthi targets and three rocket launch platforms; the Houthis said civilian sites were hit and claimed other attacks.
Türkiye ruled out sending troops to Yemen, while Pakistan said its forces were deployed in Saudi Arabia in a defensive capacity; both countries’ roles under the Mecca Pact were questioned.
- Who
- The Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, Türkiye and Pakistan.
- What
- Reported Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and airport strikes were followed by Saudi-backed strikes in Yemen and debate over the Mecca Pact.
- When
- During the reported escalation; Air India cancelled Riyadh flights until October 10. The articles do not specify a year.
- Where
- Riyadh and Abha in Saudi Arabia, and multiple areas of Yemen, including Taiz, Hodeidah and Marib.
- Why
- The reports describe the events as part of the escalating Houthi-Saudi conflict and a Saudi-backed counteroffensive.
Saudi Arabia and its allies
Houthis
Attacks and civilian harm
Saudi Arabia and its allies
Saudi authorities reported attacks on airports and missile fire toward Riyadh; India condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Houthis
The reports attribute attacks on Saudi targets to the Houthis, who warned airlines about flying in Saudi airspace. They do not provide a Houthi response disputing the reported airport casualties.
Saudi-backed strikes in Yemen
Saudi Arabia and its allies
Saudi-backed forces said they destroyed Houthi military targets, including missile storage sites, command centres and launch platforms.
Houthis
The Houthis said civilian sites were targeted and claimed Saudi Arabia had carried out nearly 1,800 air strikes since the current escalation began.
Territorial control
Saudi Arabia and its allies
Yemen’s government said it had pushed the Houthis out of strategic areas along the Red Sea and in Mocha.
Houthis
The Houthis said they had not lost territory; one report said they had seized areas along the main road linking Taiz to Aden.
- Earlier airport attack casualties
- Three people were reported killed—one Sudanese national in Riyadh and Egyptian and Algerian nationals in Abha—and 36 were wounded.
- Later Riyadh airport report
- Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority was reported to have said three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, were killed and several people of different nationalities were wounded; a Saudia aircraft was damaged.
- Missiles reported intercepted
- Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh.
- Damage in Riyadh
- Shrapnel from an intercepted missile damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex.
- Airline response
- Air India cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10.
- Saudi-backed forces' claims
- They said they destroyed 82 Houthi targets across at least four Yemeni provinces and, in another report, three rocket launch platforms.
- Military roles
- Türkiye ruled out sending troops to Yemen; Pakistan said its forces were deployed in Saudi Arabia in a defensive capacity.
- Displacement in Yemen
- More than 200,000 people had been displaced since July, according to one report.
