Saudi authorities confirmed late Thursday that a significant security incident unfolded near King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh when explosive detonations were detected in the vicinity of the city's main aviation hub. Eyewitnesses and drone footage captured towering columns of thick black smoke rising into the night sky, along with bright orange flames engulfing structures close to the airport perimeter.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, which has maintained a prolonged military campaign against Saudi Arabia since the resumption of its airstrikes against Yemen in 2025, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement circulated through its affiliated media channels, the group described the operation as a retaliatory strike against what it called "targeting of civilian infrastructure" by the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis stated that multiple unmanned aerial vehicles and guided missiles were deployed in the assault, aiming at military and aviation installations near the capital.
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Aviation immediately suspended all flight operations at KKIA, one of the Middle East's busiest airports, prompting the cancellation and diversions of numerous domestic and international flights. Authorities urged passengers to avoid the area and monitor official communications for updates on resumption timelines.
Security sources told reporters that emergency response teams, including fire crews and civil defense units, were rushed to the site. Initial reports suggested that damage was confined to areas outside the immediate airfield zone, though details remained sparse as investigations continued into the early hours of Friday morning.
The attack marks the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia, reigniting fears of regional destabilization. Analysts note that such strikes near the capital underscore the persistent vulnerability of Saudi critical infrastructure despite the kingdom's extensive missile defense networks. International observers have called for restraint as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions appear stalled.
