Houthi missile and drone attacks have intensified around Riyadh, disrupting flights and killing three people at Saudi airports, while Syria weighs whether to send military assistance to Saudi Arabia’s campaign in Yemen.
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, explosions were reported in Riyadh as the Houthis claimed they had targeted King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile. Flight-tracking data showed delays and disruptions at the airport, and some companies in the capital advised employees to work from home. Saudi authorities have said that Houthi strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports killed three people and wounded 36 earlier this week.
The attacks followed a Saudi-backed offensive by Yemeni government forces seeking to retake territory near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia has sought defensive and logistical help from regional partners as the conflict threatens to widen. U.S. officials told Axios that Syria and Saudi Arabia discussed deploying Syrian troops to Yemen, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly considering the proposal.
Syrian officials have expressed support for Saudi Arabia but denied that Damascus had received a formal request, leaving the possible deployment uncertain.