Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh amid reports of missile attacks claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The incident comes as fighting escalates across the Middle East.
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 9, 2026
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, October 8, as fighting between the group and Saudi-backed forces intensified.
The Houthis said they launched ballistic and cruise missiles toward airports in Riyadh and Najran. The group claimed the attacks disrupted flights, but the claims were not independently verified.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition spokesperson said its forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh and another missile fired toward Khamis Mushait. Debris from an interception damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex, according to Saudi civil defense authorities.
On Wednesday, Saudi authorities reported that attacks targeting airports in Riyadh and Abha killed three people and injured others. The victims included foreign nationals, according to the Associated Press.
The Houthis also warned international airlines against operating in Saudi airspace and threatened attacks on Saudi oil facilities, according to their military spokesman, Yahya Saree.
The attacks come as Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni government forces conduct military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen.
