Saudi authorities say three killed in Houthi-claimed attacks on Riyadh airport
Three Saudi citizens were killed in attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, which have been claimed by Houthi rebels. The incident has led to widespread flight cancellations and increased security concerns in the region.
Why it matters
This represents a significant escalation in the regional conflict, impacting international aviation and global market stability.
An airline pilot was among three Saudi citizens killed in attacks targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft, the kingdom's civil aviation authority said on Friday (October 9, 2026). Several people “of different nationalities” were wounded.
The attacks on Thursday (October 8) were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighbouring Yemen launched a major military offensive against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels last weekend.
They also marked a significant escalation on the latest front in the Iran war, which has kept oil prices and financial markets volatile. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg was scheduled to brief the Security Council on developments in Yemen later on Friday.
By Friday (October 8) afternoon, at least 124 flights to and from Riyadh had been cancelled after hundreds more were cancelled a day earlier, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
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