Saudi Vows Revenge After Houthis Attacks On Airports Kill 18, Riyadh-Bound Flights Hit | Top Updates

Last Updated:October 12, 2026, 11:13 pm IST

Saudi authorities extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh airport on Monday after deadly attacks by Houthis.

Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked the airport, in Riyadh on October 8, 2026. (Image: Reuters)

Saudi Arabia has vowed a “serious” response after a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted the kingdom’s airports, killing at least 18 people and raising concerns over the security of its critical infrastructure.

“The events of recent weeks are serious, our response must be equally serious,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at an energy conference in Riyadh on Monday.

‘Resilience Tested’: Saudi After Airport Attacks

“For Saudi Arabia, these circumstances have tested our infrastructure, our institutions, our people, and our resilience,” he added, stressing the importance of protecting energy security.

The deadliest strike took place on Saturday at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 13 people and injuring hundreds. Earlier attacks on Wednesday and Thursday killed four people, while another person was killed on Sunday. Follow for live updates

Riyadh Airport Ops Suspended

Further, Saudi authorities extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s airport on Monday. The attacks have also disrupted air travel, with Etihad Airways cancelling all flights to and from Riyadh until next week. Bahrain’s Gulf Air also suspended its Riyadh services until Saturday, AFP reported.

Authorities reported that Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia was also struck on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led military coalition said, earlier in the day, that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards Khamis Mushait, which houses a major military base.

Houthis Warn US Against Entering Conflict

The Houthis claimed responsibility for multiple attacks and threatened further strikes on Saudi transit hubs, describing them as “a theatre of operations for our forces”.

A senior Houthi official also warned the United States against joining the conflict, saying Washington would face a “swift and painful response” if it intervened in Yemen.

The escalation comes amid the wider US-Iran conflict, which has unsettled energy markets and intensified instability across the West Asia. Iran, which backs the Houthis, said on Monday it was “deeply concerned” about the latest developments.

Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis since 2015.

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What casualties and airport disruptions occurred following the Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia?

A series of Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi airports, including a deadly strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killed at least 18 people and injured hundreds. The attacks prompted Saudi authorities to extend the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s airport, while international carriers like Etihad Airways and Gulf Air cancelled or suspended their scheduled flights to the capital.

How did Saudi officials and the military coalition respond to the recent airport strikes?

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman vowed a “serious” response to the infrastructure and security threat, stating that recent events have tested the nation’s resilience. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led military coalition reported that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile headed toward a major military base in Khamis Mushait.

What warnings have Houthi officials issued regarding international intervention and travel?

A senior Houthi official warned the United States that it would face a “swift and painful response” if it intervened in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The group also claimed responsibility for the transit hub attacks, designated Saudi transport hubs as operational theater, and warned airlines and travelers against using Saudi airspace and airports.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

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