Saudi Arabia reopened King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday after weeks of closure due to repeated Houthi missile attacks. The airport had been closed since October 10, when a cruise missile struck a passenger terminal, killing 13 and injuring over 300. The Iran-backed Houthis, based in northern Yemen, have launched at least four deadly attacks on the airport this month, including one that hit a plane on the tarmac, killing three.
Despite the reopening, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines and travelers to avoid the facility, calling it a legitimate military target and stating Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any consequences. The surge in attacks follows a breakdown in a four-year ceasefire, with the Houthis citing retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. The escalation coincides with the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict involving Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing