Houthis Strike Riyadh Airport, Damaging Passenger Jet Amid Escalated Attacks

The Houthi rebel group has intensified its attacks on Saudi Arabia, striking Riyadh's international airport and damaging a passenger jet. The Iran-backed rebels also issued warnings to energy facilities, escalating tensions across the region.

Shrapnel from an intercepted projectile struck a commercial plane belonging to state carrier Saudia Airlines, leaving it heavily damaged and catching fire while parked at a terminal. While no passengers were believed to be on board, the full extent of any injuries was not immediately clear. Thick smoke and flames were observed rising from the airport following the incident.

In response to the attacks, Lufthansa and Air India announced they were suspending flights to Riyadh.

Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted missile also hit a kindergarten and a medical complex in the capital. The Houthis claim their attacks are in retaliation for Saudi Arabia's support of government forces in Yemen's renewed civil war. Saudi Arabia, in turn, states it is backing an offensive by Yemen's UN-recognized government to reclaim territory from the Houthis.

The conflict, described as an overspill of the US-Iran war, has introduced further instability to the region. Saudi Arabia has sought support from allied nations, including Turkey and Pakistan, for logistical or defensive assistance as it attempts to counter Houthi advances in southwest Yemen. These requests have become more urgent following recent Saudi reports that three people were killed this week in strikes targeting Riyadh and Abha airports.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen stated that it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh and another towards Khamis Mushayt, which hosts a major airbase. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that nearly half of departures from Riyadh airport were canceled by Thursday afternoon, with further cancellations expected for Friday across Saudi airports. Flight tracking data showed numerous delays and cancellations at King Khalid International Airport, which advised travelers to confirm flight statuses with their airlines.

Riyadh is scheduled to host the WPC Energy Congress this week. Multinational companies in the city's King Abdullah Financial District advised employees to work from home following reports of loud booms. Some diplomats received warnings, and local schools instructed parents to have children shelter in place, though no public alert was issued by authorities.

Yemen's civil war, which had paused with a ceasefire in 2022, has recently reignited. The Houthis have seized territory along the Red Sea coast, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and their threats to shipping have drawn Saudi Arabia back into the conflict. Saudi-backed forces launched a counteroffensive this week, recapturing some areas near the strait.

Syrian and U.S. defense officials indicated that Syria is considering military support options for Saudi Arabia, ranging from defensive aid to offensive deployments. A Syrian diplomat stated that Syria stands with Saudi Arabia but remains focused on domestic priorities. Turkey, a NATO member, confirmed it is sending defensive and technical support to Saudi Arabia, including military equipment, intelligence sharing, and weapons systems.