Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Reissue Threats Against Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport

POLICY WIRE — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement issued a fresh warning on Sunday advising airlines, airport personnel, and passengers to avoid Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The declaration arrived shortly after the facility announced plans to reopen two terminals for flight operations following a recent suspension.

Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that the airport remains a military target. He emphasized that the group intends to continue operations directed at the site and urged all aviation stakeholders to take the threat seriously.

The airport had previously indicated that starting Sunday, Terminal 1 would handle domestic traffic, while Terminal 2 would be utilized for international flights managed by national carriers. These plans follow a total halt in operations that began on October 10.

The suspension was triggered by an attack on the airport, which the Houthis claimed responsibility for. That incident resulted in 13 deaths and left more than 300 individuals wounded, marking the most lethal strike within the kingdom in over a decade. The operational shutdown was subsequently extended two days after the initial event.

The Houthis have consistently utilized ballistic missiles and drones to strike Saudi ports, oil infrastructure, and airports, effectively turning the U.S. ally into a focal point of the ongoing regional conflict. In response, Saudi Arabia has intensified its military campaign in Yemen, conducting airstrikes and supporting a government counteroffensive following the Houthi seizure of strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)