Yemen’s Houthi movement renewed threats against King Khalid International Airport, warning airlines and travelers to stay away as Riyadh’s main hub prepared a new terminal arrangement for Oct. 25.
In an Oct. 24 post on X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the airport a military target and urged airport employees to avoid it. Saree said it “will never be safe,” according to an English translation of his Arabic post.
The airport told travelers to verify reservations and flight status with their airlines. Its terminal plan assigned international flights operated by national carriers to Terminal 2, leaving Terminal 1 for domestic service.
On Oct. 25, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh. Saudi Press Agency separately reported a drone interception in the Riyadh region. Neither announcement identified the airport as the target.
Yemen Press Agency reported that Houthi forces said an airport strike was part of a three-operation campaign involving dozens of ballistic missiles. That allegation has not been independently verified.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said airport operations were suspended after the Oct. 10 attack while authorities assessed damage and facility safety. The airport’s terminal assignments were scheduled to take effect Oct. 25.
