Escalating Houthi Missile and Drone Strikes Target Multiple Saudi Airports, Causing Casualties and Travel Disruption

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have significantly escalated their aerial assaults on Saudi Arabia’s airports over the past week, targeting key facilities in Riyadh, Abha, Jazan, and Najran, while a projectile also impacted Dammam's airport. These coordinated strikes have severely disrupted air travel and resulted in civilian casualties, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport bearing the brunt of the aggression. The violence escalated notably on Saturday when a missile attack killed 13 people and injured hundreds, according to Saudi authorities, followed by another strike on Riyadh airport on Sunday that claimed an additional life.

On October 6, Saudi authorities reported attacks on King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport in the south, resulting in three injuries. During this time, Saudi air defences successfully intercepted a ballistic missile fired at Khamis Mushait. The following day, October 7, strikes on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport left three foreign citizens dead and 36 injured, with the Houthis promptly claiming responsibility.

The attacks continued on October 8, when at least one strike hit King Khalid International Airport, killing three Saudi citizens—including an airline pilot—and injuring several others. An aircraft belonging to state carrier Saudia sustained damage, and thick smoke was seen rising from the facility. On October 10, a Houthi missile struck the same airport, killing 12 people and injuring 309. The fatalities included Saudis as well as nationals from Bangladesh, the US, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Sudan. The death toll rose to 13 on Sunday after an injured Indian citizen succumbed to their wounds, forcing the suspension of airport operations and widespread flight cancellations and diversions.

On October 11, a projectile struck Terminals 3 and 4 at Riyadh airport, killing a Pakistani citizen and injuring 11. Concurrently, the Saudi-led coalition reported that a projectile fell near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, with damage assessments underway. The Houthis again claimed responsibility for the assault. In total, Riyadh's airport has been struck four times in five days, resulting in at least 20 deaths. While the Houthis have declared Saudi airspace a military zone, the Saudi-led coalition has vowed to “respond decisively” and continues retaliatory strikes on Houthi launch sites.