Houthis claim missile strike on Riyadh as explosions heard in capital

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Houthi Missile Strikes on Riyadh Airport Kill Three

   Multiple explosions rattled Riyadh after Houthi forces claimed a ballistic missile strike targeting the Saudi capital. Saudi authorities confirmed that two missile strikes hit King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft, killing three Saudi citizens including an airline pilot. Several people of different nationalities sustained injuries during the attacks, which forced diplomats to shelter in place, damaged facilities, and caused widespread flight suspensions and delays across the capital.

   Why it matters

   These strikes mark the deadliest attacks inside Saudi Arabia since the kingdom launched a major military offensive alongside allies against the Houthi movement in Yemen. The escalation follows a previous drone attack on the same airport and aligns with a broader proxy conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Syria is reportedly considering providing help in the Yemen war following the airport strikes.

   What is confirmed

   • Three Saudi citizens, including an airline pilot, were killed in attacks targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft.
   • Several people of different nationalities were wounded in the strikes.
   • The attacks damaged airport facilities and forced diplomats to shelter in place.
   • Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the ballistic missile strike on Riyadh.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Syria is considering providing help in the Yemen war after Saudi airports came under Houthi fire.

   What to watch next

   • Further statements from Saudi authorities regarding security measures and infrastructure repairs at King Khalid International Airport
   • Responses from regional and international actors regarding the escalating Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia
   • Potential diplomatic or military retaliation by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Houthis | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
   2. en.wikipedia.org — Houthis - Wikipedia
   3. www.theguardian.com — Who are the Houthis – explained in 30 seconds - The Guardian
   4. en.wikipedia.org — Houthi-controlled Yemen - Wikipedia
   5. Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Yemen forces claim control over strategic Taiz mountain peak
   6. Bloomberg.com — Houthis Kill Three in Attacks on Two Airports in Saudi Arabia
   7. Reuters — Yemen's Houthis say they attacked Riyadh airport with ballistic missile
   8. AP News — Israel says British Consulate in east Jerusalem has ceased to function and 20 diplomats will leave
   9. Euronews.com — Houthis claim missile strike on Riyadh as explosions heard in capital
   10. The New York Times — Blasts Rattle Riyadh as Saudi Arabia Hit By Deadliest Houthi Attacks So Far
   11. Reuters — Syria considers help in Yemen war after Saudi airports come under Houthi fire
   12. Time Magazine — Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Kill 3 Amid Escalating War in Yemen
   confidence 95%