Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India Condemns Saudi Airport Attacks as Houthis Claim Riyadh Strike
India said attacks on two airports in Saudi Arabia were wrong because people were hurt and civilian places should not be attacked.
The airports were in Abha and Riyadh.
Reports said three people died and 36 were injured in attacks on October 6 and 7.
On Thursday, the Houthi group said it fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi Arabia had not confirmed that particular claimed strike in the reports.
People heard explosions in Riyadh that day.
Saudi-led coalition forces said they struck 82 Houthi military targets in Yemen.
The Houthis also said they had attacked Saudi and Saudi-backed targets.
The reports describe continuing fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
India condemned attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport, calling attacks on civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable.”
The Houthis claimed they attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile on Thursday; Saudi Arabia had not confirmed that specific claimed strike in the reports.
AFP journalists reported hearing explosions in Riyadh on Thursday, while some residents and institutions took precautionary measures, according to one report.
Reports citing Saudi aviation authorities said separate attacks on October 6 and 7 killed three people and injured 36 across the two airports.
Saudi-led coalition forces said they destroyed 82 Houthi military targets in Yemen after attacks on Saudi civilian facilities; Houthi representatives also claimed attacks on Saudi and Saudi-backed targets.
- Who
- India condemned the airport attacks; the Houthi group claimed a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport, and the Saudi-led coalition reported strikes on Houthi targets.
- What
- India condemned attacks on two Saudi airports amid reported civilian casualties and a Houthi claim of a ballistic missile attack on the Riyadh airport.
- When
- The reported airport attacks occurred on October 6 and 7; the Houthi claim and reported explosions in Riyadh were on Thursday.
- Where
- Abha and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; coalition strikes were reported in Yemen.
- Why
- India said targeting civilian infrastructure was unacceptable. The coalition said its operation followed attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and Coalition
Houthi Movement
Responsibility and targets
Saudi Arabia and Coalition
The Saudi-led coalition described Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian facilities, including airports, and said it struck Houthi military targets in response.
Houthi Movement
The Houthis claimed they attacked King Khalid International Airport and said they had carried out attacks against Saudi and Saudi-backed targets.
Consequences of the attacks
Saudi Arabia and Coalition
Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said attacks on civilians and civilian objects would not go unpunished.
Houthi Movement
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed missile attacks and, in one report, warned airlines against flying through Saudi airspace, with exceptions for routes over Mecca and Medina.
- Airports named
- Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
- Reported casualties
- Three killed and 36 injured across the two airports, according to reports citing Saudi aviation authorities
- Abha casualties
- Two people killed and 28 injured, according to ANI
- King Khalid Airport casualties
- One person killed and eight injured, according to ANI
- Houthi claim
- The group said it targeted King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile on Thursday; Saudi Arabia had not confirmed that specific claimed strike in the reports
- India’s response
- India condemned the attacks, expressed condolences and solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and wished the injured a speedy recovery
- Coalition claim
- Saudi-led coalition forces said they destroyed 82 Houthi military targets across four Yemeni governorates
Sources
India condemns Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia airports, civilian deaths as ‘completely unacceptable’
‘Completely unacceptable’: India condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia airports by Houthi rebels
Houthis say attacked Riyadh as loud explosions rock Saudi capital, India condemns strikes on airports