Second Houthi Attack on Saudi Airport in Two Days Raises Regional Tensions

RIYADH — The Houthis announced late Friday that they struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, injuring at least five people and causing significant damage to the airport's main terminal. The attack marks the second direct assault on the Saudi capital's airport in less than 48 hours, an unprecedented escalation in the Yemeni group's campaign against Gulf targets.

A video released by the Houthis showed what they claimed was a drone strike on the airport's cargo area. Saudi officials confirmed an explosion was heard but maintained that flight operations continued with only limited disruption. Commercial flights resumed Sunday morning after security checks.

The escalation comes amid intensified negotiations over a rare Saudi-Iran prisoner exchange that began this week in Oman. U.S. Secretary of State Anne Molsgaard convened a closed-door meeting of regional ministers in Muscat on Friday, where the Houthis' expanding targeting patterns were discussed.

Israeli defense officials have privately assessed that the Houthis' capabilities have improved significantly since their last major offensive in 2023, raising concerns about potential strikes on shipping lanes in the Red Sea that could impact global trade worth $1 trillion annually.

Source: BBC News, October 11, 2026. BBC Middle East.