Houthi Attacks Keep King Khalid International Airport Closed in Riyadh

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remains closed until at least October 17 after repeated Houthi attacks. Saudi authorities reported intercepting missiles on Monday while the airport stayed shut following earlier strikes that killed at least 13 people on Saturday and wounded more than 300.

The Saturday attack on the airport terminal was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade. Victims included Saudi citizens and foreign nationals from Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. CCTV footage showed passengers in the terminal as the strike caused ceiling collapse and debris. A subsequent attack on Sunday killed one more person and injured 11. The Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on the airport and other sites.

Saudi-led coalition forces said they destroyed incoming missiles over Riyadh and other areas. The Houthis have warned airlines against operating flights to Saudi airports and described the sites as legitimate targets. The attacks follow the breakdown of a previous ceasefire arrangement and a renewed Yemeni government offensive against Houthi-held areas. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The airport serves the capital of roughly 8 million people and is one of the kingdom's busiest. Flight cancellations have affected thousands of passengers. Some airlines extended cancellations through the weekend. The Saudi civil aviation authority issued notices extending the closure. Damage included effects on radar and communications equipment in earlier strikes. A parked commercial aircraft was destroyed in one of the prior attacks this week.

The escalation has drawn attention to Saudi air defense performance. The kingdom maintains advanced systems purchased over many years. Houthi forces, backed by Iran, have used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The repeated penetration of defenses around a major airport has raised questions about coverage, response times, and the volume of incoming threats. Trump has said he is weighing options regarding the situation and has commented that the Houthis are behaving very badly.

In Yemen, the fighting has intensified around cities such as Taiz, where residents report increased shelling and supply shortages. The Houthis have also claimed strikes on other Saudi facilities. The broader context includes the regional conflict that began earlier this year involving Iran and its partners. Saudi Arabia has faced direct attacks on civilian infrastructure after years of relative calm following earlier phases of the Yemen war.

Casualty figures continue to be updated as hospitals treat the wounded. Some of the injured remain in critical condition. The presence of multiple nationalities among the dead has drawn statements from several embassies. The Indian embassy reported one of its citizens died after being wounded in the Saturday attack. International airlines have adjusted schedules, and some governments have updated travel advice.

Saudi officials have continued with some planned events in Riyadh while the airport stays closed. The military has reported successful interceptions even as the airport remains offline. The Houthis have said they will continue targeting sites linked to the Yemen conflict. For passengers and residents, the immediate effect is the extended shutdown of the main international gateway and the ongoing risk of further strikes.

The pattern of attacks over the past week shows a sustained campaign rather than isolated incidents. Saudi authorities have not announced a timeline for full restoration of airport operations beyond the current notice. Reconstruction and security assessments will determine when commercial flights can resume at normal levels.