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Houthis blamed for missile strike on Saudi Arabia's main airport

The Saudi-led coalition accused the Iran-backed Houthi group of launching a missile attack on Riyadh's primary international airport, escalating tensions in the yearslong conflict. The strike marks an expansion of cross-border attacks in the region's volatile airspace.

LSN World News · 11 October 2026

Houthis blamed for missile strike on Saudi Arabia's main airport

The Saudi-led military coalition said the Houthi movement fired a missile at King Fahd International Airport in Riyadh on Wednesday, targeting one of the kingdom's most critical civilian infrastructure facilities. The group, which controls parts of Yemen, has previously conducted similar cross-border attacks, though this latest incident underscores the expanding reach of their military capabilities.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for numerous drone and missile strikes against Saudi Arabia since the coalition launched airstrikes against the group in 2015. The movement, which receives support from Iran, has steadily improved its weapons arsenal and demonstrated an ability to penetrate Saudi air defenses despite years of coalition bombardment.

The attack on the Riyadh airport reflects the broader deterioration of the security situation in Yemen, where the conflict between the Houthi-controlled north and the Saudi-backed government has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of civilians. The airport strike represents a significant escalation in attacks on civilian targets, raising concerns about regional stability and international aviation security.

Saudi Arabia has not yet released details on the extent of damage or casualties resulting from the alleged strike. Coalition officials have vowed continued military operations against the Houthis, signaling no immediate end to the protracted conflict that has reshaped geopolitical dynamics across the Arabian Peninsula.