Saudi Arabia Suspends Flights After Deadly Airport Attacks

Saudi Arabia has suspended all flights to and from its main international airport in Riyadh until next Saturday. This decision follows a series of missile attacks by the Houthi rebel group, which have caused serious damage and resulted in deaths. According to The Guardian, the latest attack killed one person and injured 11 others at the airport terminal. This follows a much larger strike on Saturday that killed 13 people and left more than 300 injured.

Saudi state television shared footage showing passengers running through smoke and falling building parts as they waited to board their planes. Because of these dangers, the Houthis have warned airlines, staff, and travelers to stay away from all Saudi airports. The group stated that these locations are now part of their military operations. In response to the growing threat, the British embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to cities like Jeddah and Dammam, and to stay away from airports entirely.

These attacks are part of a wider conflict that has been ongoing since 2014. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have targeted various Saudi cities, including Khamis Mushait and the King Fahd international airport in Dammam. Recent strikes have also hit fuel tanks and warehouses at the Riyadh airport, destroying at least one passenger plane and damaging several others. Saudi military officials are now conducting an urgent review to understand why their air defense systems—the technology used to stop incoming missiles—are not successfully blocking these attacks.

Despite the dangerous situation, Saudi Arabia decided to continue with the 25th WPC Energy Conference in Riyadh. The government hoped this would show that the country remains stable. However, the event was affected by the violence, as some senior oil executives chose not to attend in person. Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman told the conference that fear has no place in the kingdom. Amin Nasser, the head of Aramco, noted that while Saudi Arabia has worked hard to protect its energy supplies, no nation can defend its infrastructure alone. He warned that when energy facilities are targeted, the negative results affect economies all over the world.

Inside Yemen, the fighting also continues. Saudi planes have carried out multiple airstrikes against Houthi positions, particularly around the city of Taiz. Reports indicate that many fighters have been killed on both sides. Nabil Shamsan, the governor of Taiz, has issued an urgent call to end the Houthi siege, warning that the city is running out of medicine and emergency surgical services. The Houthis claim that Saudi raids have also caused civilian deaths in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a.

Political leaders are now considering their next steps. According to The Guardian, US President Donald Trump said he is looking into whether the United States should join the Saudi military campaign in Yemen. The US already provides intelligence support and has about 200 military advisers stationed in Saudi Arabia to assist with the conflict. However, the US has not yet taken a direct part in the fighting.

For the Saudi leadership, the situation is difficult. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has not appeared in public recently, reflecting the pressure he faces to find a way to end the war. The country needs stability to move forward with plans to grow its economy beyond just oil, but finding a peaceful solution in Yemen has proven to be very challenging. As the Houthis promise that “the worst is yet to come,” the Saudi government remains focused on protecting its people and its infrastructure. Schools have been moved online, and workers have been advised to stay home as the nation waits to see what happens next in this dangerous standoff.