RIYADH - Explosions in Saudi Arabia’s capital halted departing flights and prompted evacuations at King Khalid International Airport on Thursday after Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed it had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile.
The blasts were reported Oct. 8 in Riyadh and near the city’s main international airport. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm that a missile had directly struck the airport.
A witness told The Associated Press that a large explosion was heard and fire engines and ambulances were sent toward the airport. Smoke was visible from a commercial aircraft, and the resulting fire was extinguished, according to Reuters reporting cited by Vesti Baku.
The Houthis claimed responsibility and said the missile reached its target, but the group did not provide independent evidence of a direct hit.
Flights Canceled and Terminals Evacuated
More than 100 departing flights were canceled, according to the Financial Times. Lufthansa and Air India were among airlines that suspended service to Riyadh as the disruption spread across the airport.
Passengers were instructed to leave terminals and abandon checked baggage while emergency crews responded.
Saudi authorities said debris from intercepted missiles damaged a medical clinic and a kindergarten. Previous attacks on Saudi airports this week killed three people and injured dozens, according to the kingdom’s aviation authorities.
Yemen Fighting Spreads Beyond Its Borders
The Houthis say the attacks are a response to Saudi support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which has renewed military operations against the Iran-backed group.
The latest escalation has displaced about 200,000 people inside Yemen and increased the risk that the conflict could disrupt neighboring states, civilian aviation and major regional transport routes.
Source: Vesti Baku.