Explosions heard in Riyadh as Houthis claim missile attack on airport
In short
Several explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at King Khalid International Airport, a witness told the Associated Press, and flight tracker Flightradar24 said the airport had closed again. Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed a ballistic missile attack on the airport, while a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed.
Read the full story 2 min read
Several explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, on Thursday, including a large blast at the city's international airport, a witness told the Associated Press. Fire and ambulance crews had deployed and smoke was visible, the witness said. According to the witness, outgoing flights were halted and passengers were instructed to leave checked-in luggage behind and evacuate. AP said it was not immediately clear how many flights were disrupted. [ 1 , 2 ]
King Khalid International Airport "closed again," the Flightradar24 monitor said on X, adding: "Last landing 80+ minutes ago. Last take off 90+ minutes ago." AP's Spanish-language service also reported the airport closed, and Reuters reported smoke seen rising from an aircraft at the airport. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen claimed the attack on the airport, saying the ballistic missile caused damage but giving no evidence. The Saudis had no immediate comment on the claim, and Saudi aviation and other authorities did not respond to AP's requests for comment. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, said the coalition intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh, along with a ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait, in the southwest near the Yemen border. [ 1 , 2 ]
AP reported that the Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks against Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days. Early Thursday, the rebels warned global airlines "for the last time" about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they called a theater for their military operations. AP said the latest blasts had an immediate effect on markets and oil prices as the price of crude jumped. [ 1 , 2 ]
The explosions came a day after the kingdom said an attack on the airport killed one person and wounded others. On Wednesday, Saudi officials said two attacks on airports claimed by the Houthis had killed three people, as the kingdom was pulled deeper into what AP called the latest front in the Iran war. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
According to AP, the Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks against Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days and warned global airlines about operating in Saudi airspace. AP reported that the blasts had an immediate effect on markets, with the price of crude jumping, and described the kingdom as being pulled deeper into the latest front in the Iran war.
Key facts
- Several explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at the city's international airport, a witness told the Associated Press. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed a ballistic missile attack on King Khalid International Airport, saying it caused damage, but gave no evidence. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh and one fired toward Khamis Mushait were intercepted and destroyed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Riyadh airport was reported closed. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Flightradar24 said King Khalid International Airport had "closed again". [ 1 , 2 ]
- Smoke was seen rising from an aircraft at Riyadh airport, Reuters reported. [ 3 ]
- A witness said outgoing flights were halted and passengers were told to leave checked-in luggage behind and evacuate. [ 1 , 2 ]
- On Wednesday, Saudi officials said two attacks on airports claimed by the Houthis had killed three people. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Houthi missile caused damage at the airport. The Houthis said it did but gave no evidence, and the Saudis had no immediate comment on the claim.
- How many flights were disrupted. AP said it was not immediately clear.
- Whether anyone was killed or hurt in Thursday's blasts. The documents report casualties only from the earlier attacks.
- How the blasts at the airport relate to the coalition's report of missiles intercepted over Riyadh. The documents report both but do not say whether the explosions were impacts or interceptions.
- The Saudi authorities' account of Thursday's events. Saudi aviation and other authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
- A large blast at the city's international airport, according to a witness quoted by AP. Reported by a single source so far.
- Riyadh's airport was reported closed. Reported by a single source so far.
- The Houthis claimed the attack on King Khalid International Airport. Reported by a single source so far.