Aircraft Damaged at Riyadh Airport as Houthi Attacks Intensify

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement intensified its attacks on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, targeting airports and threatening energy facilities. The strikes have reportedly killed three people this week and severely damaged a passenger aircraft at Riyadh airport.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on Riyadh airport and warned workers to stay away from energy installations, which they said would be targeted. A Saudia Airlines aircraft caught fire while parked near an airport terminal on Thursday, sustaining heavy damage, according to three people briefed on the incident. The cause was reportedly linked to shrapnel from an intercepted projectile or another strike.

No passengers were believed to be aboard the aircraft at the time, although the possibility of injuries could not be ruled out. Video verified by Reuters showed flames and a thick column of black smoke rising from the airport. Saudi government officials, the civil aviation authority and Saudia Airlines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lufthansa and Air India announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh following the attacks. Separately, Saudi officials said debris from an intercepted missile struck a kindergarten and a medical complex in the capital.

The Houthis say their campaign is aimed at Saudi Arabia over its support for government forces in Yemen’s renewed civil war. Riyadh, meanwhile, is backing an offensive by Yemen’s internationally recognised government to reclaim territory held by the group.

The conflict has intensified amid the wider US-Iran war, raising fears of further regional instability and the involvement of additional countries. Syria is reportedly considering military assistance to Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh has sought support from allies, including Turkey and Pakistan, primarily for defensive and logistical operations.

The urgency has increased following Saudi authorities’ announcement that three people were killed in strikes targeting Riyadh and Abha airports earlier this week.

Flight Disruptions and Security Concerns

Saudi airports have increasingly become targets of Houthi attacks. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh and another aimed at Khamis Mushayt, which hosts a major airbase.

Data compiled by aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that nearly half of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday. A further 31 cancellations were expected across Saudi airports on Friday.

Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 also reported numerous delayed arrivals and departures at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Airport authorities advised travellers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Riyadh is scheduled to host the WPC Energy Congress, a major gathering of energy policymakers, this week.

Meanwhile, several multinational companies operating in the King Abdullah Financial District instructed employees to work from home after loud explosions were heard on Thursday morning, according to five people familiar with the matter.

Some diplomats reportedly received security warnings, while several schools instructed parents that students and staff should shelter in place. However, Saudi authorities had not issued a public alert, and the source of the reported explosions remained unclear.

Yemen’s Civil War Intensifies

Yemen’s protracted civil war, which had largely paused under a ceasefire in 2022, has reignited in recent weeks amid the broader regional conflict. The Houthis seized stretches of the Red Sea coastline last month, including areas near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Threats to maritime traffic and attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure have drawn Riyadh deeper into the conflict. Saudi-backed forces launched a counteroffensive this week and recaptured several areas around the strait.

However, the Houthis have also made advances on other fronts, surrounding Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, after capturing territory along a key mountain road connecting the city with Aden.

The renewed fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government has worsened the humanitarian situation in the Arab world’s poorest country. Around 200,000 people have reportedly been displaced since hostilities resumed.

A US defence official and a Syrian defence official said Damascus was carefully considering options for military assistance, including defensive support to protect Saudi Arabia or a more direct deployment against the Houthis.

A diplomat, responding to questions about Syria’s position, said Damascus stood firmly with Riyadh but remained focused on domestic priorities, including recovery from its own civil war.

Turkey, a NATO member, announced on Wednesday that it would provide mainly defensive and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia. A Turkish official said the support was expected to include military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.