Saudi Arabia’s coalition said on Monday, October 26, that it had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, a day after the capital’s airport partly reopened and the Houthis claimed to have hit it.
The interception followed a tense Sunday, when residents received warnings of a threat from the air. Explosions were heard in Riyadh as flights resumed at two airport terminals. King Khalid International Airport had been closed since October 10, after an attack claimed by the Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to reports citing Saudi authorities.
Under the reopening plan, Terminal 1 serves domestic flights. Terminal 2 handles international flights operated by Saudi carriers. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the group’s latest operation targeted the airport.
He claimed the operation had achieved its objective. Saudi officials, meanwhile, said air defences intercepted a missile heading toward Riyadh. Their account did not confirm that the intercepted missile was specifically aimed at the airport.
The Houthis warned airlines, airport workers and passengers to stay away. They called the airport unsafe and a military target. Flights restarted while missile and drone attacks continued.
The competing claims show the security risks facing civilian aviation in the kingdom.