Houthi Rebels Launch Attacks on Saudi Airports Amid Escalating Yemen War
At least three people were killed and 36 injured in strikes targeting Riyadh and Abha, with the rebels warning airlines against flying in Saudi airspace.
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have launched a series of attacks on Saudi Arabian airports, resulting in three deaths and 36 injuries. The rebels claimed responsibility for strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, following earlier attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a warning on Thursday, urging airlines to cease flights in Saudi airspace, which he described as a "theater" for Houthi military operations. The Saudi-led coalition responded by stating the attacks "will not go unpunished" and announced the destruction of 82 Houthi military sites in Yemen.
The rebel group has intensified its attacks on Saudi infrastructure since Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi airstrikes, launched an offensive to recapture territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This offensive has revived the protracted civil war in Yemen, which has led to one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 200,000 people have been displaced since the latest escalation of fighting began in June. The Saudi-led coalition alleges that Iran arms and funds the Houthis, a claim both Iran and the rebel group deny.
The conflict has also become a new front in the broader U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran. Reports suggest the Houthis received direction from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to capture Mokha, a move aimed at threatening global shipping and energy flows through another key route. The escalating tensions around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are particularly significant amid recent attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran seeks to increase its leverage.
Official reports indicate that the attack on Riyadh's airport resulted in the death of a Sudanese national and injuries to Saudi citizens, Egyptian residents, and a Pakistani resident. The strike on Abha airport killed two women, one Moroccan and one Algerian, and injured Saudi citizens, a Bangladeshi resident, and a Filipino resident.
Earlier on Wednesday, Yemeni authorities reported ballistic missile and drone strikes on Aden International Airport. While the Houthis acknowledged a missile strike nearby, they stated their target was a military camp. Additionally, two airports in Saudi Arabia's southern region, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport, sustained material damage on Monday evening, with three people injured.
Saudi Arabia has sought international support to counter the Houthi threat. Turkey has provided defensive and technical assistance, and both Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to implement collective defense commitments under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Syria is also considering providing military aid, potentially including ground forces or defensive support.
While Saudi Arabia reportedly requested U.S. assistance, President Donald Trump has declined direct strikes against the Houthis, instead offering intelligence support. The ongoing conflict has also seen an increase in attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Between September 28 and October 5, at least 12 attacks on oil, LNG, and LPG tankers were reported near the Strait. On Tuesday, an unknown projectile struck a Panama-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Oman, injuring 12 crew members. A separate incident on Wednesday involved an unidentified tanker being hit by multiple projectiles off the coast of Qatar.
Iran has stated it will close "illegal" routes used to bypass its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Mohammadreza Naqdi, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards' Commander, asserted full Iranian control over the Strait. However, maritime analytics firm Kpler reported that Middle Eastern crude exports exceeded pre-war levels in September. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran had "lost complete control of the Strait" as the U.S. Navy continues escorting vessels. Despite these assertions, analysts have warned that increased attacks and threats to key shipping lanes could significantly raise shipping costs and disrupt energy flows.