Saudi Arabia has announced that its main airport in Riyadh has partly restarted operations at two terminals. This comes even as Yemen’s Houthis continue to issue fresh threats against the facility. King Khalid International Airport had completely stopped flights on October 10 after a major attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people and injured more than 300.
According to the airport authorities, Terminal 1 will now handle only domestic flights while Terminal 2 will be used for international flights operated by Saudi national carriers. The partial reopening began on Sunday. However, flight tracking data showed very little activity at the airport throughout the day, suggesting many airlines are still cautious.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree quickly responded by warning airlines, airport staff and passengers not to use the airport. He called it a “military target” and said it would never be safe. The group has kept up almost daily attacks on Saudi Arabia despite repeated Saudi airstrikes.
Saudi civil defence authorities issued emergency alerts for Riyadh and several southern cities on Sunday after detecting incoming projectiles. Officials later confirmed that the danger had passed. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting two drones, one ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, a cruise missile headed toward Khamis Mushait, and ten more ballistic missiles fired at southern areas.
The Houthis claimed they had targeted the airport and Saudi oil facilities the previous day. Saudi officials did not directly respond to those claims. The renewed fighting has broken a United Nations-brokered truce that had mostly held since 2022. Saudi Arabia first intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government after the Houthis took control of the capital Sanaa.
This ongoing conflict has added another layer of tension to the wider regional situation. Despite the threats and recent deadly attack, Saudi authorities decided to reopen limited services at the Riyadh airport to restore some normal movement for travellers. The coming days will show whether more airlines resume flights or continue to stay away due to security concerns.
