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Houthis Warn Travelers Away from Saudi Airports After Riyadh Attack
The Houthis in Yemen told people not to use Saudi airports or fly through Saudi airspace, except at airports in Mecca and Medina.
Their warning came after an attack at Riyadh’s airport killed 12 people and hurt more than 300.
Saudi officials temporarily closed the airport to check for damage and make sure it was safe.
The Saudi-led coalition also reported a projectile near an airport in Dammam and an intercepted drone in the area.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis are on opposing sides of a worsening conflict in Yemen.
The United States was considering whether to join Saudi strikes against the Houthis, according to President Donald Trump.
A major energy conference was still planned in Riyadh.
Schools moved classes online for several days.
The Houthis warned airlines, airport workers and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, except airports in Mecca and Medina.
The warning came a day after an attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed 12 people and injured more than 300.
Saudi Arabia temporarily closed King Khalid International Airport while authorities assessed damage and safety.
The Saudi-led coalition reported a projectile near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and said it intercepted a drone in the region.
A Riyadh energy congress was still scheduled to proceed, while in-person classes across Saudi Arabia shifted to remote learning through Thursday.
- Who
- Yemen’s Houthis warned airlines, airport workers and travellers; the attack’s victims included Saudi and other nationalities.
- What
- The Houthis warned people to avoid Saudi airports and airspace after an attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed 12 and injured more than 300.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the warning covered Saudi airports and airspace, except airports in Mecca and Medina.
- When
- The warning was issued Sunday, October 11, after an attack on Saturday.
- Why
- The Houthis said Saudi airports and airspace were vulnerable to attack and had become a theatre of operations for their forces.
Houthi position
Saudi and coalition position
Use of Saudi airports and airspace
Houthi position
The Houthis warned airlines, workers and travellers to stay away, saying Saudi airports and airspace were vulnerable and had become a theatre of operations for their forces.
Saudi and coalition position
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any failed interceptions; Saudi authorities temporarily closed Riyadh’s airport for safety and damage assessments.
Military escalation in Yemen
Houthi position
The Houthis are fighting Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and warned of the risks to Saudi aviation.
Saudi and coalition position
Saudi Arabia has increased its military involvement, launching strikes against the Houthis and backing a Yemeni government counteroffensive.
Key facts
- Fatalities
- 12 people were killed in Saturday’s Riyadh airport attack.
- Injuries
- More than 300 people were reported wounded.
- Airport status
- King Khalid International Airport was temporarily closed for damage and safety assessments.
- Exceptions to Houthi warning
- The Houthis excluded airports in Mecca and Medina from their warning.
- Other reported incident
- The Saudi-led coalition said a projectile fell near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and that a drone was intercepted in the region.
- Energy congress
- The five-day WPC Energy Congress was scheduled to continue in Riyadh; attendance arrangements were unclear.
- School arrangements
- In-person classes were suspended and moved to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday.
Quotes
Yemen’s Houthis
Yemeni armed group that issued the warning on X
“We renew our warning to all airlines, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces, with the exception of the airports in (the holy cities of) Mecca and Medina”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
“We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Sources
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