RIYADH Oct 11, 2026 – Yemen’s Houthis on Sunday issued a fresh warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, stating that they remain potential targets for military operations. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group “reiterates its warning” and that Saudi Arabia “bears responsibility for failed attempts at interception.” Mecca and Medina were explicitly exempted.
The warning follows a missile strike on Saturday that hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 12 people and injuring 309, according to Saudi authorities. The dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt.
The Saudi-led coalition described the attack as a “war crime” and blamed the Houthis. The group has not claimed responsibility for the Saturday strike but previously said it carried out earlier attacks on the same airport this week that killed at least three people.
The renewed warning has intensified concerns over aviation safety. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and industry group OPSGROUP have expanded advisories urging airlines to avoid Saudi airspace amid risks from missiles, drones, and air-defence debris. Multiple carriers have cancelled or suspended flights to Riyadh. The escalation comes as fighting intensifies in Yemen between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops.
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