Two missile strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Thursday killed three people, including a Saudia Airlines pilot, according to Saudi authorities. The attacks, claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement, forced diplomats to shelter in place and caused widespread flight disruptions at the Saudi capital's main gateway.
The Saudi civil aviation authority said the strikes on the airport and a Saudia aircraft "resulted in the martyrdom of three citizens." On Friday, the national carrier confirmed the death of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, expressing "profound sadness" and offering "heartfelt condolences" to his family. The airline said it honoured "his memory with deep respect and appreciation."
The explosions echoed across Riyadh, prompting international schools to take precautionary measures and diplomats to remain indoors. Numerous flights were delayed or cancelled, and the airport advised travellers to contact airlines before heading to the terminal. The kingdom's civil defence agency reported that "interception debris" damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in the city, though it did not specify casualties or the extent of the damage.
Admissions by Saudi authorities that civilian sites have been hit are relatively rare. In recent weeks, the government has issued few statements about Houthi attacks, making Thursday's confirmation notable. The Houthis have also warned workers to evacuate Saudi oil facilities, days after striking a major refinery south of the capital.
Conflict on the Red Sea coast
The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital Sana'a and most major population centres since the war began in 2014, have faced a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised government since 2015. Despite a renewed pushback aimed at recapturing territory along the Red Sea, including the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, Riyadh and its allies have struggled to contain the Houthis' latest offensive.
Yemen's government, which declared a counter-offensive, claims to have driven the fighters out of key areas on the Red Sea coast and the port city of Mocha. The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, insist they are holding their ground. Military sources on both sides report no major changes on the front lines, and independent verification is impossible given the fast-moving situation and restricted access for journalists.
The renewed fighting is exacting a heavy toll on civilians in one of the world's poorest countries. According to UN data, more than 200,000 people have been displaced since July. In Taiz, a government-controlled city in western Yemen, the Houthis have imposed a siege, cutting off the main supply route to Aden, the temporary capital.
The strikes on Riyadh come amid heightened regional tensions, with the Houthis also targeting shipping in the Red Sea. The conflict has drawn in international actors, including European nations concerned about maritime security and the stability of global energy routes. The Black Sea drone strikes have similarly exposed gaps in EU maritime defence plans, highlighting the broader challenges facing European security.
For European travellers, the disruption at Riyadh airport is a reminder of the fragility of air travel in conflict zones. While European carriers do not fly directly to Yemen, many connect through Gulf hubs, and the safety record of airlines in the region remains a concern. The incident also underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the war, which has already caused a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are part of a broader pattern of regional instability, with Iran backing the Houthis and other proxies. As the conflict continues, the risk of further escalation remains high, with potential consequences for global energy prices and security. The European Union has called for restraint and a political solution, but so far, the warring parties show little sign of compromise.
