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Several explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, with a major blast reported at King Khalid International Airport as Houthi attacks raise regional tensions.
Smoke rises near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after blasts were reported in the Saudi capital. (Photo: Video screengrab)
Several explosions were heard across Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Thursday, with a major blast reported near King Khalid International Airport, according to a witness who spoke to The Associated Press.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels later claimed responsibility, saying they had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile. The claim came after the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said it had intercepted two missiles fired towards the Saudi capital.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport around midday, claiming that one of its ballistic missiles “hit its target”.
The claim could not be independently verified.
Flights Halted At Riyadh Airport
King Khalid International Airport was reportedly closed again following the explosions. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 said on X that the airport had recorded no recent arrivals or departures.
A witness at the airport said fire and ambulance crews were deployed and smoke could be seen in the area. Outgoing flights were halted, while passengers were reportedly asked to leave their checked-in luggage and evacuate the airport.
The disruption also led airlines to cancel flights to and from Riyadh. One airline said it had suspended flights until October 10, citing the evolving situation in the region.
“In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until 10 October. Affected guests are being offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation. We continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The airline said affected passengers could either reschedule their flights at no extra cost or opt for a full refund.
Houthis Claim Fresh Strike On Saudi Capital
The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks claimed by the Houthis against Saudi targets in recent days. The group has repeatedly claimed strikes on airports, military installations and oil facilities in the kingdom.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted two missiles launched towards Riyadh on Thursday. The Houthis, however, said one missile targeting King Khalid International Airport had reached its intended target.
The developments come a day after Saudi authorities reported attacks on two airports that killed three people and injured dozens.
The attack on King Khalid airport killed a Sudanese national and wounded eight others, while a separate strike on Abha airport killed Moroccan and Algerian residents and injured 28 people, according to Saudi officials.
The latest attacks have raised fresh security concerns in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, as the kingdom becomes increasingly drawn into the wider regional conflict.
Saudi Offensive Adds To Regional Tensions
The attacks come after Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major air and ground offensive against the Houthis over the weekend.
The operation is aimed at retaking territory along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that the rebels seized about a month ago.
The Houthis’ presence around the strategic waterway has also raised concerns over international shipping. The Bab el-Mandeb is a key alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted amid the ongoing Iran war.
On Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said coalition forces had destroyed a launch platform in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, which was allegedly being used to launch attacks on Riyadh.
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Ask News18Loud explosions were reported across Riyadh after Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed to have fired a ballistic missile at King Khalid International Airport. The Saudi-led coalition stated it had intercepted two missiles aimed at the capital, while the airport experienced temporary closures, emergency crew deployments, and flight cancellations by airlines extending through October 10.
Ask News18About the Author
Pragya Bahuguna is a digital journalist at News18.com, covering national and international news, including Indian politics and geopolitics, with an interest in environment and climate affairs. She hol…Read More
October 08, 2026, 6:46 PM IST
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