Saudi Arabia's Riyadh international airport was reportedly hit again on Saturday, a day after a deadly Houthi missile attack that killed 12, amid escalating strikes by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis and reports of a retaliatory strike on the airport in Sana'a.
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Key facts
- A Houthi missile attack on Riyadh's airport killed 12 people, according to Guardian reporting.
- A Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said a projectile hit a passenger terminal, causing a fire.
- Houthi media reported a strike on the airport in Sana'a following the Riyadh attack.
- The airport had already been attacked twice earlier in the week, leaving four dead and an aircraft badly damaged.
- The UAE issued a statement in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, despite a major rupture in relations this year.
Saudi Arabia’s capital was rocked by renewed violence over the weekend as Riyadh’s international airport was reportedly struck again on Saturday, a day after a deadly Houthi missile attack. According to the Guardian, a Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said a projectile hit a passenger terminal building, causing a fire.
The Houthis, Yemen’s Iran-aligned group, claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 12 people, the Guardian reported. A Houthi military spokesman said the group carried out several targeted attacks, including strikes against Dammam airport and Saudi Aramco facilities, though it was unclear whether the group also claimed Saturday’s reported airport attack.
Houthi media subsequently reported a strike on the airport in Sana’a, following the deadly incident in Riyadh. CCTV footage released by Al Arabiya and reported by Al Jazeera showed the moment of the Houthi strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday.
The latest incident came amid an escalation of missile strikes by the Houthis on the kingdom. The Guardian reported that the airport had already been attacked twice earlier in the week, leaving four people dead and others wounded, and badly damaging an aircraft. Saudi-backed government forces said they would ‘respond decisively’ to the attack on Riyadh’s airport terminals.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers after a truce in their long-running war with Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government unravelled in July, according to the Guardian.
In a significant diplomatic signal, the United Arab Emirates issued a statement in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing support for ‘all measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s security and stability.’ The Guardian noted the message was important given the major rupture in relations this year between the two oil-rich kingdoms, first sparked by lingering divisions in Yemen and worsened by the Iran War and disputes over oil prices, which led the UAE to quit OPEC after six decades of membership.
Why it matters
The escalating exchange of strikes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia threatens civilian lives, air travel and vital oil infrastructure in the Gulf. The UAE's show of solidarity, despite a recent rupture with Riyadh, signals how regional powers may be realigning amid wider instability following the Iran War.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the Houthi attack on Riyadh airport?
According to the Guardian, the Houthi missile attack on Riyadh's airport killed 12 people. An earlier pair of attacks on the airport that week left four people dead and others wounded.
What did the Houthis claim responsibility for?
A Houthi military spokesman said the group carried out several targeted attacks, including strikes against Dammam airport and Saudi Aramco facilities. It was unclear whether the group also claimed Saturday's reported airport attack.
Why is the UAE statement significant?
The Guardian reported that the UAE's expression of solidarity is notable because of a major rupture in relations this year between the two kingdoms, driven by divisions in Yemen, the Iran War and oil price disputes that led the UAE to quit OPEC.
Timeline
- CCTV shows moment of deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh airport
Al Jazeera: CCTV footage released by Al Arabiya shows the moment of a Houthi strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday.
- Middle East crisis: Riyadh airport hit again as Houthis claim attacks, including strike that killed 12 – as it happened
The Guardian World: This live blog is now closed. You can read our latest full report here: Riyadh airport hit again after deadly Houthi missile attack, Saudi authorities say Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant me
- Middle East crisis live: Riyadh airport hit again as Houthis claim attacks, including strike that killed 12
The Guardian World: Houthi military spokesman says Iran-backed group carried out several targeted attacks Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the United Arab Emirates has issued a statement in solidarity
- Middle East crisis live: Riyadh airport hit again as Houthis claim responsibility for attack that killed 12
The Guardian World: Statement claims strikes against Dammam airport and Saudi Aramco facilities but it is unclear if group also claims today’s reported attack Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the Unite
- Middle East crisis live: Riyadh airport reportedly hit again as Houthis claim responsibility for attack that killed 12
The Guardian World: Statement claims strikes against Dammam airport and Saudi Aramco facilities but it is unclear if group also claims today’s reported attack Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the Unite
- Middle East crisis live: Riyadh airport reportedly hit again, day after deadly attack that killed 12
The Guardian World: A Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said that a projectile hit a passenger terminal building, causing a fire Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the United Arab Emirates has issued a st
- Middle East crisis live: Houthi media reports strike on airport in Sana’a after deadly Riyadh attack
The Guardian World: Saudi-backed government forces earlier said they would ‘respond decisively’ to the attack on Riyadh airport terminals Some more Gulf reaction to Houthi’s deadly airport attack and continued threats to target Saudi airspace. In a significant message, the United Arab Emirates has i