Houthi rebels launched a cruise missile attack against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, destroying a parked Saudia Airlines passenger jet. The strike,part of an escalating campaign against Saudi Arabian infrastructure and airspace, has caused massive flight cancellations and regional instability.
A Saudia Airlines jet destroyed by cruise missiles in Riyadh
On Thursday, a cruise missile strike at King Khalid International Airport set fire to a commercial aircraft belonging to the state carrier Saudia Airlines. According to the report, the plane was parked at the terminal and is believed to have been empty, though officials could not rule out potential injuries. The strike follows a week of increased tension that has already resulted in multiple fatalities.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating that two cruise missiles hit the airport, while ballistic missiles also targeted Najran airport and the Khamis Mushair airbase in the same operation. Witnesses described a thick black column of smoke and flames rising from the airport site before the blaze was eventually extinguished.
Nearly half of Riyadh's departures cancelled amid WPC Energy Congress
The missile strikes have caused immediate and widespread chaos for regional aviation. aviation data company Cirium reported that nearly half of all departures from Riyadh's airport were cancelled by 3pm UK time. Major carriers, including Lufthansa and Air India, have suspended all flights to the capital following the attacks. this disruption comes at a sensitive time, as Riyadh is scheduled to host the WPC Energy Congress, a major gathering of global energy policymakers.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 also showed widespread arrival and departure delays at King Khalid International Airport. The impact was felt far beyond the runways, as several multinational firms located in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) instructed employees to work from home after hearing loud explosions. The airport has advised travelers to contact their airlines to check the status of flights before attemptnig to travel.
The resurgence of the Yemeni civil war and Red Sea tensions
This escalation reflects the violent reignition of the Yemeni civil war, a conflict that has displaced 200,000 people since it resumed. The Houthis claim they are attacking Saudi Arabia for supporting Yemen's government, while the Saudis maintain they are only helping the UN-recognised government retake territory. The group is currently attempting to seize control of strategic areas, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is vital for Red Sea shipping.
As the group targets Saudi energy plants and airports, the kingdom has sought defensive support from allies like Turkey and Pakistan to protect its borders and maritime interests. the conflict, which began in 2014, continues to threaten both regional stability and international trade routes.
Uncertainty over kindergarten debris strikes and Syrian military aid
Several critical details remain unverified following the Thursday attacks. While Saudi officials stated that intercepted missile debris hit a kindergarten and medical complex in Riyadh, the full extent of casualties in those areas has not been confirmed. Additionally, there is conflicting information regarding international intervention; while some defense officials suggest Syria is weighing military aid for Saudi Arabia, Syrian presidential advisers have denied any plans to deploy troops.
Finally, the exact number of casualties from the broader missile campaign this week, which has already claimed three lives, remains a point of ongoing investigation.. The source notes that while the Saudi-led military coalition intercepted several missiles, the ability of the group to strike high-profile civilian targets remains a significant concern.
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