Saudi Arabia Faces Fresh Missile and Drone Attacks After Deadly Airport Strikes

Saudi Arabia faced a new wave of reported missile and drone threats on Monday, October 12, as authorities continued responding to deadly attacks on airports that have disrupted air travel and heightened security concerns across the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it had detected incoming drones and missiles targeting the kingdom. Officials had not immediately confirmed how many of the weapons were intercepted or whether the latest barrage caused additional casualties.

The renewed threats followed a series of attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, including a deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack on Saturday killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to regional officials cited by the Associated Press.

Another projectile struck the airport complex on Sunday, killing one person and injuring 11 others, Saudi authorities said. The repeated attacks prompted the suspension of airport operations, leaving passengers stranded or forcing flights to be cancelled, diverted or rescheduled.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for multiple operations against Saudi targets and threatened further attacks. The group has increasingly targeted airports and oil-related infrastructure as the conflict involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia and regional powers intensifies.

The Saudi-led coalition has also reported intercepting weapons directed at locations near important oil and gas facilities. The attacks pose a wider threat to regional transport and energy infrastructure, as well as Saudi Arabia’s efforts to maintain investor confidence and economic activity.

Saudi Arabia has stepped up military operations against the Houthis, including reported airstrikes in Yemen. The group, however, has continued its campaign, raising concerns that the confrontation could expand and further destabilise the region.

The United Arab Emirates called for stronger cooperation among Gulf states on security and defence, warning that attacks against Saudi Arabia threaten the wider region. Iran, meanwhile, offered to help facilitate dialogue between the parties, despite its close ties with the Houthi movement.

The crisis has also drawn attention in Washington. US President Donald Trump said the United States was considering whether to join Saudi Arabia in strikes against the Houthis, although Reuters reported on Monday that there had been no indication that Washington had begun direct military action.

With Riyadh airport remaining closed and further threats reported, Saudi authorities face the challenge of protecting civilian infrastructure while preventing the conflict from spreading. The latest developments also raise concerns over the security of regional air routes and energy supplies.

The situation remains fluid, with the number of weapons intercepted and the full impact of Monday’s reported attacks still unclear.