World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia vows unity after Houthi attacks as airport closure extends
Saudi Arabia says it will remain strong and united after Houthi missile and drone attacks targeted Riyadh and southern parts of the kingdom.
The coalition led by Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, while the Houthis claimed a direct hit on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Airport operations are suspended until October 17 after an attack on Saturday killed 13 people and injured more than 300; an attack on Sunday killed one person.
The Houthis have warned international airlines not to fly to Saudi airports, while exempting Makkah and Madinah.
Fighting in Yemen has displaced more than 216,000 people since August, including at least 172,000 from Taiz.
Forces are battling for control of Taiz, where closed roads have disrupted supplies and made it harder to reach people needing aid.
The UN says access to those in need remains difficult as key roads stay closed.
Saudi Arabia said it would remain strong and united after Houthi missile and drone attacks targeted Riyadh and southern parts of the kingdom.
King Khalid International Airport suspended operations until midnight on October 17 after an attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted attacks on Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, while the Houthis claimed a direct hit on Riyadh airport.
The Houthis warned international airlines against flying to Saudi airports, with exceptions for Makkah and Madinah.
More than 216,000 people have been displaced since escalations in Yemen began in August, including at least 172,000 from Taiz.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition; the Houthi group.
- What
- Saudi Arabia vowed unity after Houthi attacks. The airport suspension was extended until October 17.
- When
- The attacks took place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday; the coalition reported further interceptions early Tuesday.
- Where
- Riyadh and Khamis Mushait in Saudi Arabia; Taiz in Yemen.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia said the attacks targeted civilians and civilian facilities. The Houthis warned that Saudi airports were unsafe.
Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition
Houthi group
Attacks
Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition
Saudi Arabia condemned attacks targeting civilians and civilian facilities; the coalition said it intercepted missiles launched towards Riyadh and Khamis Mushait.
Houthi group
The Houthis claimed a direct hit in an attack on Riyadh airport and said a drone attack on Khamis Mushait airbase also scored a direct hit.
Air travel
Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition
Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport until October 17.
Houthi group
The Houthis warned international airlines against flying to Saudi airports, while exempting Makkah and Madinah.
An attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, prompting the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport.
An attack killed one person.
The coalition announced it had intercepted attacks on Riyadh and the south of Saudi Arabia; the Houthis claimed a direct hit on Riyadh airport.
The coalition said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Khamis Mushait.
The extended suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport is due to last until midnight.
- Airport closure
- Operations at King Khalid International Airport suspended until midnight on October 17
- Saturday attack
- 13 people killed and more than 300 injured
- Sunday attack
- One person killed
- Displacement
- More than 216,000 people since escalations in Yemen began in August
- Displacement from Taiz
- At least 172,000 people
What people are saying
We strongly condemn the Houthi terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian facilities in the kingdom
remain strong and united
to all international airlines, experts, employees, workers and passengers from all countries of the world against flights to Saudi airports, as they are unsafe, with the exception of the airports and airspace of the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah
Sources
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