Houthis warn against Saudi airports after Riyadh strike kills at least 12

The Houthi military spokesman cited Mecca and Medina as exceptions while urging passengers to stay away from all other Saudi airports.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 19:56:25 GMT

The Yemen‑based Houthi movement issued a fresh warning to travellers and airlines to avoid Saudi airports after a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday killed at least 12 people, including a U.S. citizen, and wounded hundreds.

What happened

On Saturday, a missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade, according to CBS News. The strike killed at least 12 people and caused hundreds of injuries. The airport was closed on Sunday and flights were diverted, with the Flightradar24 tracker confirming diversions to other hubs.

What the reports add

The Guardian reported that the Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree posted on X that all Saudi airports and airspace, except the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, are "exposed to targeting and constitute a theatre of operations for our forces." He added that Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions. CBS News echoed the warning, noting that the spokesman urged "everyone to take our warnings seriously" and that the threat applies to all airports and airspace apart from the two holy sites.

What was said

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, wrote on X: "The airports and airspace are exposed to targeting and constitute a theatre of operations for our forces," and warned passengers to "take our warning seriously" (The Guardian). CBS News quoted the same statement, adding that Saree said the group would continue "airport for airport, siege for siege, and escalation for escalation" until their goals are met.

How it came about

The latest warning follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure. Earlier this month, a Houthi‑claimed missile strike set a Saudia aircraft ablaze at the same airport, prompting widespread flight cancellations (Felo News). On 7 October, three foreign nationals were killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, and on 9 October the Riyadh airport reopened after previous strikes (Felo News). The escalation comes amid intensified fighting in Yemen and increased Saudi‑led coalition operations against Houthi positions.

Key facts

A missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people, including a U.S. citizen. (cbsnews.com)
The Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree warned that all Saudi airports and airspace, except Mecca and Medina, are targets. (theguardian.com)
The airport remained closed on Sunday and flights were diverted, according to Flightradar24. (cbsnews.com)