Riyadh Airport Hit Again: Evacuation After Blast

Sat Oct 10 2026 16:47:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

King Khalid International in Riyadh has been struck twice in a week, forcing an evacuation and raising tensions in the Houthi conflict.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was evacuated after a sudden blast, marking the latest attack in a string of Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure. More than a dozen ambulances rushed to the scene, though authorities have not released details on casualties. The attack follows a pattern of drone and missile assaults blamed on Iran‑backed Yemeni rebels, who target Saudi sites in retaliation for its support of Yemen’s government forces. This surge in violence threatens the region’s already fragile stability and highlights the risk to civilians caught in the crossfire.

Riyadh Airport Hit Again: Evacuation After Blast

King Khalid International Airport was evacuated after a loud blast on Saturday, adding to a series of attacks in the past week.

More than a dozen ambulances rushed to the airfield, according to Reuters, with no official confirmation of injuries or fatalities yet. The airport urged passengers to confirm travel plans with their airlines before arriving.

The strike comes just a day after Saudi authorities reported that three nationals, including a pilot, were killed in two Houthi attacks.

These incidents are part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting Saudi aviation hubs, oil facilities and shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Yemeni rebels, backed by Iran, claim their actions are retaliation for Saudi involvement in Yemen’s civil war.

The Houthis seized key points along the Red Sea coast, including the port of Mokha, during a rapid offensive. This raised international concern as the Bab al‑Mandab Strait is a vital chokepoint for global maritime traffic.

A Saudi‑led coalition formed in 2015 to counter the Houthi takeover of Yemen. While a temporary ceasefire brokered in 2022 offered a brief lull, fighting resumed in July, leading to a surge in attacks against Saudi infrastructure.

The escalating conflict has triggered widespread humanitarian crises, with hundreds of thousands displaced and many casualties. Global observers urge restraint to prevent further destabilization of the region.