Saudi Arabia Closes Riyadh Airport After Dozens Hurt in Houthi Missile Attack

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Saudi Arabia investigates air defense failures after deadly Riyadh airport strikes

   Saudi Arabia is investigating why its air defenses failed to stop Houthi missiles and drones that struck King Khalid International Airport. The attacks killed at least 13 people across two separate incidents and injured over 300 others. Authorities extended the airport closure through October 17, leading airlines to scrap flights and causing cancellations across Saudi airports to reach 46.4%. While flights continue to land in Jeddah, the strikes on passenger terminals mark a major escalation in the conflict between the kingdom and Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

   Why it matters

   The Houthis are attempting to isolate the kingdom from the rest of the world by targeting critical air links. This sequence of attacks follows a week of Houthi strikes against Saudi infrastructure. The event is described as the deadliest strike on Saudi soil in more than a decade.

   What is confirmed

   • Houthi missiles and drones struck passenger terminals at King Khalid International Airport.
   • The airport closure was extended through October 17.
   • Cancellations across Saudi airports reached 46.4%.
   • Air traffic avoided Riyadh while flights continued to land in Jeddah.
   • The attacks resulted in at least 13 deaths and over 300 injuries.

   Still unconfirmed

   • An unidentified projectile targeted Terminal 4 on Sunday and caused a fire, killing one person.
   • At least two people were killed in the initial attack according to a hospital source.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the Saudi air defense failure investigation
   • Reopening of King Khalid International Airport after October 17
   • Official Saudi military response to the Houthi escalation
   Sources used for this update (31)

   1. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO ...
   2. WSJ — Houthis Bombard Saudi Air Links in Effort to Cut Kingdom Off From Rest of World
   3. Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Kremlin says Trump welcomed Russia’s effort in Iran deal
   4. WSJ — Iran-Backed Houthis Hit Saudi Capital’s Airport in Damaging New Attack
   5. The New York Times — Riyadh Airport Attacked Again, Diplomats Say, After Week of Houthi Strikes
   6. www.cnn.com — Multiple people wounded in attack on Riyadh airport, Saudi aviation authority says
   7. Yahoo — International Airport Evacuated After Missile Strikes Passenger Terminals and Leave Untold Number Hurt: Reports
   8. The Times of Israel — At least two killed in Riyadh airport attack, hospital source says
   9. Yahoo — Loud blast at Riyadh airport as travellers evacuated and airlines cancel flights
   10. elderofziyon.blogspot.com — 10/10 Links: Bret Stephens: Zohran Mamdani’s Moral Obscenity; The Nobel Peace Prize is now totally disc....
   11. www.cbsnews.com — Houthis issue new threat against Saudi airspace after deadly ...
   12. nypost.com — Saudi Arabia extends airport closure after 13 killed in ...
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