7 hrs ago
Houthi Strike Damages Riyadh Plane, Airlines Suspend Flights
A missile attack was reported at an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Pieces from a projectile that was stopped in the air reportedly hit a parked Saudia plane and badly damaged it.
The Houthis said they carried out attacks, while Saudi officials did not comment on that claim.
The airport closed again for a time, and many flights were cancelled.
Several airlines from India and Germany paused their Riyadh flights.
Travellers were told to check with their airline before going to the airport.
The attacks are happening as fighting in Yemen has started again.
The article says about 200,000 people have been displaced since the fighting resumed.
Shrapnel from an intercepted projectile reportedly hit and badly damaged a parked Saudia Airlines plane at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
The Houthis claimed multiple attacks on Riyadh and Najran airports; Saudi authorities did not comment on those claims.
More than 275 Riyadh airport flights were cancelled Thursday, and the airport reportedly closed again that afternoon.
Air India and Akasa Air suspended Riyadh flights until Saturday, while IndiGo cancelled service until Friday; Lufthansa suspended flights until October 16.
The renewed Yemen conflict has displaced about 200,000 people since fighting resumed, according to the report.
- Who
- Yemen’s Houthis, Saudi authorities and airlines including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air and Lufthansa.
- What
- A projectile reportedly damaged a parked Saudia Airlines plane, prompting airport disruption and flight suspensions.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the Houthis also reported attacks on Najran airport.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, 2026, with airline suspensions continuing on different dates.
- Why
- The Houthis say they are targeting Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s government in the civil war.
Houthi position
Saudi position
Reason for attacks and role in Yemen
Houthi position
The Houthis say they are striking Saudi Arabia because it backs Yemen’s government in the civil war.
Saudi position
Saudi Arabia says it is backing an offensive by Yemen’s UN-recognised government to retake territory.
Claims about airport strikes
Houthi position
The Houthis said they carried out attacks on Riyadh airport and fired additional missiles at airports in Riyadh and Najran.
Saudi position
Saudi authorities did not comment on the Houthi claims; the Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed missiles fired toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushayt.
Key facts
- Airport
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
- Aircraft damage
- A parked Saudia Airlines plane was reportedly hit by shrapnel and badly damaged; no passengers were thought to be aboard, but injuries could not be ruled out.
- Reported cancellations
- More than 275 flights were cancelled at the airport on Thursday, according to FlightAware data cited by ABC News.
- Air India
- Cancelled Riyadh flights until Saturday; a Delhi-to-Riyadh flight turned back Thursday.
- Akasa Air
- Suspended Riyadh flights until Saturday.
- IndiGo
- Cancelled Riyadh service until Friday.
- Lufthansa Group
- Suspended Riyadh flights until October 16.
- Reported displacement
- About 200,000 people have been displaced since fighting in Yemen resumed, according to the article.
Sources
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