Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Houthis Warn Travelers Away From Saudi Airports After Deadly Riyadh Attack
Yemen’s Houthi group told airlines, airport workers and travellers to stay away from most Saudi airports and airspace.
It said airports in Mecca and Medina were exceptions.
The warning came after an attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people.
Reports said more than 300 people were injured, with one report giving the number as 309.
Saudi authorities temporarily stopped airport operations while they checked damage and safety.
The Saudi-led coalition also reported a projectile near an airport in Dammam and a drone interception in the region.
Fighting between the Houthis and forces backed by Saudi Arabia has intensified.
A United Nations envoy condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and warned that escalation could threaten regional security and peace efforts.
A major energy congress was still scheduled in Riyadh, while schools shifted to remote learning for several days.
Yemen’s Houthis renewed a warning to airlines, aviation workers and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, except in Mecca and Medina.
The warning followed a Saturday attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people; reported injury figures were more than 300 or 309.
Saudi aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations at the Riyadh airport while assessing damage and safety, without announcing a reopening time.
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 scheduled to proceed, while Saudi authorities moved in-person classes to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday.
- Who
- Yemen’s Houthis issued the warning; 12 people were reported killed in the Riyadh airport attack.
- What
- The Houthis urged people to avoid most Saudi airports and airspace after a deadly attack at Riyadh’s airport.
- When
- The warning was renewed on Sunday, October 11, after Saturday’s attack.
- Where
- The attack was at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh; the warning covered Saudi airports and airspace except those in Mecca and Medina.
- Why
- The Houthis said Saudi airports and airspace were vulnerable to attack and had become an area of operations for their forces.
Houthi position
Saudi, coalition and UN perspectives
Saudi airports and airspace
Houthi position
The Houthis said Saudi airports and airspace were vulnerable to attack and were an area of operations for their forces, urging airlines, workers and travellers to avoid them except in Mecca and Medina.
Saudi, coalition and UN perspectives
Saudi authorities temporarily suspended operations at Riyadh’s airport for damage and safety assessments. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg condemned Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure and called for them to stop.
Escalation and peace efforts
Houthi position
The Houthis said they would maintain their stated formula of “airport for airport, blockade for blockade, and escalation for escalation” until they achieved their objectives.
Saudi, coalition and UN perspectives
The Saudi-led coalition intensified airstrikes against Houthi-held areas while supporting Yemeni government forces. Grundberg warned that escalation threatens regional security and complicates peace efforts.
- Deaths
- 12 people were killed in Saturday’s Riyadh airport attack, according to Saudi authorities.
- Injuries
- Reports described more than 300 people injured; one report gave the total as 309.
- Airport status
- King Khalid International Airport operations were temporarily suspended pending damage and safety assessments; no reopening time was specified.
- Warning exceptions
- The Houthis excluded airports in Mecca and Medina from their warning.
- Other reported incidents
- 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 events
- The five-day WPC Energy Congress and a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum were scheduled to proceed in Riyadh.
- School arrangements
- In-person classes were shifted to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday for students, teachers and administrative staff.
Sources
Yemen's Houthis renew warning over Saudi airports, airspace amid cross-border escalation
Houthis warn travellers, airlines to avoid Saudi airports after deadly Riyadh attack - Telegraph India
Yemen’s Houthis renew warning over Saudi airports after deadly Riyadh attack