Yemen’s Houthi movement escalated its attacks on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, claiming responsibility for targeting Riyadh airport and issuing warnings that energy facilities would also be attacked. A commercial plane operated by Saudi state carrier Saudia Airlines was severely damaged after catching fire while parked near an airport terminal, multiple informed sources.
The incident follows a series of attacks on Saudi airports over the past week, which have resulted in three fatalities as the Houthis intensify their campaign against the kingdom’s aviation and energy sectors. Verified footage showed thick black smoke and flames rising from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Sources indicated that shrapnel from an intercepted projectile or a direct strike by another missile hit the aircraft. Although no passengers were believed to be on board at the time, the possibility of injuries could not be entirely ruled out. The Houthis confirmed their attack on the airport and urged workers to avoid energy plants, which they threatened to target next.
Saudi Arabia’s government media office, civil aviation authority, and Saudia Airlines did not respond to requests for comment. Following the attacks, Lufthansa and Air India announced suspensions of flights to Riyadh. Additionally, Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted missile struck a kindergarten and medical complex in Riyadh.
The Houthis justify their attacks as retaliation for Saudi support of government forces in Yemen’s renewed civil war. Saudi Arabia backs a UN-recognized government offensive aimed at reclaiming territory from the Houthis. The conflict, increasingly influenced by the broader US-Iran tensions, has destabilized the region further and risks involving additional countries, with Syria reportedly considering troop deployments to assist Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has sought support from allied nations, including Turkey and Pakistan, primarily for logistical and defensive roles, as it attempts to reverse Houthi advances in southwest Yemen near the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The urgency of these requests increased after Saudi authorities confirmed three deaths this week from strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports.
The Houthis have focused their attacks on Saudi airports, with the Saudi-led coalition reporting the destruction of two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and another targeting Khamis Mushayt, home to a significant airbase. Aviation data showed nearly half of Riyadh airport’s departures were canceled by mid-afternoon, with further cancellations expected across Saudi airports. Flight tracking services reported numerous delays and cancellations at King Khalid International Airport, which advised travelers to verify flight statuses before traveling.
Riyadh is scheduled to host the WPC Energy Congress, a major gathering of energy policymakers, this week. Meanwhile, several multinational companies in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District instructed employees to work remotely after loud explosions were heard on Thursday morning. Some diplomats received warnings, and certain schools in Riyadh told parents to shelter in place, although no public alert was issued.
Yemen’s civil war, which had paused under a 2022 ceasefire, reignited recently with the Houthis capturing stretches of the Red Sea coast, including the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Their threats to shipping lanes and attacks on Saudi infrastructure have drawn the kingdom back into active conflict. Saudi-backed forces launched a counteroffensive this week, regaining some territory near the strait, while the Houthis have made gains around Yemen’s third-largest city, Taiz, by controlling key routes to Aden.
The ongoing fighting between the Houthis and a Saudi-backed coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government has caused a humanitarian crisis, displacing approximately 200,000 people since hostilities resumed. Reports indicate Syria is considering providing military support to Saudi Arabia, potentially including defensive aid or offensive deployments against the Houthis. However, Syrian officials emphasize their focus remains on domestic recovery following their own civil war.
Turkey announced it is sending mainly defensive and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia, including military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems, to aid in countering Houthi attacks.
