Houthis Claim New Saudi Strikes as Riyadh Airport Reopens Under Threat

Repeated Houthi attacks shut down King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for about two weeks before flights resumed on October 25, according to World News CNA and Business Line - Home. The disruption affected Saudi Arabia's main international airport.

One attack this month killed 13 people and injured more than 300, The Hindu reported. The Houthis have carried out waves of strikes on the airport, making its reopening a test of whether civilian flights can continue despite further threats.

On October 24, Saudi authorities accused the Houthis of launching missiles towards the regions of Mecca and Medina, according to Infobae. The Houthis denied attacking the holy cities and said they had targeted Saudi airports and oil facilities, India Today reported. Those accounts differ over the intended targets.

The same day, Al Jazeera reported that Houthi missiles had also reportedly struck targets in Yemen, including Aden's airport and a coastguard base. The attacks were not confined to Saudi territory.

On October 25, dozens of flights departed King Khalid International Airport for destinations including London, Dubai and Beijing, Business Line - Home reported, citing the airport's website. The Houthis renewed their warning against using the airport, according to Middle East Eye.

Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting missiles and drones over Riyadh and southern parts of the country that day, according to Iran International (English), citing the Saudi-led coalition.

On October 26, the Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi oil pumping stations and Riyadh airport, Reuters reported. The coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile, according to South China Morning Post. It also said it destroyed Houthi missile launchers in Sanaa, including one used to fire towards Riyadh, Arab News reported.

Interceptions did not prevent all damage on the ground. Al Jazeera reported on October 26 that debris from intercepted Houthi missiles fell on Khamis Mushait.

The latest coverage, dated October 27, describes continuing attacks alongside diplomatic efforts. The Saudi-led coalition said air defences destroyed four Houthi drones heading towards southern Saudi Arabia, according to Middle East Eye. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Pakistan and Iran met in Tehran to de-escalate the conflict, Al Jazeera reported.

The Houthis also claimed a ballistic missile strike on Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry in Riyadh and an attack targeting Abha airport, according to Times now. Those claims are not independently confirmed in the supplied coverage. Separately, India Today reported that Riyadh confirmed material damage after Houthi missiles hit Saudi Arabia's largest oil refinery.

The airport's reopening therefore marks a resumption of service, not an end to the threat. The Houthis' warning to travellers remains part of the latest reporting on the airport, while Saudi forces continue to announce interceptions.

The immediate issue is whether Riyadh's airport can sustain flights under renewed threats. Confirmation of the latest claimed strikes, particularly against the Defence Ministry and Abha airport, would help establish how much damage this round of attacks has caused.

The other development to follow is the Tehran meeting. Al Jazeera reported that the talks were intended to de-escalate the conflict, but the supplied coverage gives no outcome or agreement.