World

Houthis Warn Airlines After Claiming Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport

By Aastha Jha

Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi group issued a “last warning” to global airlines on Thursday, saying Saudi airspace had become a “theater for our military operations.” The group also claimed it had struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missile “struck its target with precision and caused the disruption of airport operations.” Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed the attack. Saree added that the airspace over the “sacred areas” in Mecca and Medina was exempt. The statement followed Saudi Arabia’s report that a mid‑week attack on the same airport had killed one person. The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia warned citizens on Wednesday to exercise heightened vigilance amid Houthi threats against airports and airspace, citing possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. The mission also advised U.S. government employees to avoid travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border and to obtain special authorization for travel to certain provinces and cities. US citizens were urged to check flight status directly with airlines and airports.