Houthi attacks widen as Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and reopens airport

Repeated Houthi attacks have disrupted Saudi Arabia's main international airport and brought the fighting to civilian and oil infrastructure. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh closed for roughly two weeks before resuming flights on October 25, according to World News CNA and Business Line.

The attacks have been deadly. The Hindu reported that one strike on the airport this month killed 13 people and injured more than 300. The Houthis have continued threatening the airport even as operations restart.

On October 24, Saudi authorities accused the Houthis of firing missiles toward the regions of Mecca and Medina, Infobae reported. The same day, Al Jazeera reported missile strikes on targets in Yemen, including Aden's airport and a coastguard base.

On October 25, flights resumed from Riyadh. Dozens departed for destinations including London, Dubai and Beijing, according to the airport website cited by Business Line. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines, staff and passengers against using the airport, describing it as unsafe, News18 reported.

The reopening did not end the attacks. On October 26, the Houthis said they had attacked Saudi oil pumping stations and Riyadh airport, according to Reuters. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile after the airport attack claim, South China Morning Post reported.

The coalition also reported destroying two ballistic missile launchers in Sanaa, including one it said had been used to fire toward Riyadh, according to Arab News. Separately, Al Jazeera reported that debris from intercepted Houthi missiles fell on Khamis Mushait, causing damage.

On October 27, the coalition said air defences destroyed four Houthi drones targeting southern Saudi Arabia, Middle East Eye reported. The Houthis also claimed a ballistic missile strike on the Defence Ministry in Riyadh, according to Times Now. India Today reported that Riyadh confirmed material damage after missiles hit the kingdom's largest oil refinery.

On October 28, the Houthis called for the immediate evacuation of Aden airport in Yemen, according to Reuters. Kayhan Life subsequently reported a strike on the airport following the warning.

Riyadh airport has reopened, but the latest reports show continuing attacks and interception claims rather than an end to the threat. Claims of a direct hit on the Defence Ministry remain attributed to the Houthis in the supplied reporting from Times Now, while India Today reported Saudi confirmation of material damage at the refinery.

Diplomatic efforts are running alongside the fighting. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Pakistan and Iran met in Tehran to seek de-escalation on October 27, Al Jazeera reported. The subsequent evacuation warning and reported strike at Aden airport show that fighting in Yemen continued after those talks.

Whether Riyadh airport can sustain its reopened services is a concrete test of the continuing threat. Flights have resumed, but the Houthis have renewed warnings against using the airport, according to Middle East Eye.

Further reporting is needed to establish the damage and casualties, if any, from the latest reported strike on Aden airport. Another issue is whether the Tehran talks produce any reduction in attacks, following the meeting reported by Al Jazeera.