Houthis Strike Riyadh Airport Killing Three Saudi Citizens

Saudi Arabia said Houthi attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, October 8, 2026, killing three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, and injuring people of several nationalities. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the strikes damaged airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the first attack hit airport facilities and the second targeted a Saudia aircraft. Emergency teams responded immediately, while airport operations later resumed and air traffic returned to normal.

The authority said injuries ranged from minor to severe and several wounded people were taken to hospitals. Saudia confirmed the death of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.

"It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami," said Saudia in a statement.

Saudia referred to the pilot's death as connected to an "incident" at Riyadh airport. The attacks also caused material damage, according to aviation authorities.

"of different nationalities were wounded" said the General Authority of Civil Aviation in its statement.

Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the missile attack, saying they had launched a ballistic missile toward King Khalid Airport.

"the missile had successfully hit its intended target, causing damage and disrupting air traffic" said a Houthi military spokesperson.

The attacks came amid renewed fighting in Yemen, where Saudi-backed forces and Houthi fighters are engaged in escalating hostilities. The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports during the recent increase in violence.

"This is part of the blockade-for-blockade equation, the airport-for-airport equation. Because Sanaa remains besieged by Saudi Arabia, the Ansar Allah Houthis want to impose a blockade on all Saudi airports" said Yousef Mawry, Al Jazeera reporter in Sanaa.

Mawry said the Houthis were responding to Saudi attacks on airports in Yemen. The group has warned aviation companies against using Saudi airspace outside Mecca and Medina.

Saudi-led coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki responded to the attacks by saying the coalition would continue opposing threats to civilians and infrastructure.

"will be met with resolve" said Colonel Turki al-Maliki, Saudi-led coalition spokesman.

"to threaten regional security" said Colonel Turki al-Maliki, referring to the Houthi rocket launch platforms.

The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed three rocket launch platforms used by the Houthis. Fighting has intensified around Yemen's Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistani forces were present in Riyadh under a mutual defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia.

"substantial number of forces as well as resources … in Riyadh" said Sajjad Haider Khan, Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman.

"would not be crossing the borders of the other side for an attack on the Houthis, but of course [are acting] in the defence of the territory" said Sajjad Haider Khan.

At the United Nations, Saudi Arabia and Yemen's internationally recognized government urged the Security Council to address the escalating conflict.

"The increasing targeting of civilians, the continuing threats to the security of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the resulting repercussions that extend beyond Yemen and the region negatively affect international peace and security" said Abdulaziz al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia's UN representative.

"is no longer an internal Yemeni affair that can be contained within our borders" said Abdullah Ali Fadhel al-Saadi, UN representative for Yemen's internationally recognized government.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation also described the sequence of the Riyadh airport attacks in its statement.

"The first attack targeted the airport’s facilities, while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft. Emergency response teams and the relevant authorities responded immediately in accordance with established protocols and the applicable emergency response plans" said the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

"The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of (3) Saudi citizens, may Allah bestow his mercy upon them, and injuries to a number of Saudi citizens and residents of various nationalities, ranging from minor to critical. All injured individuals were transported immediately to hospital for appropriate medical care. The attacks also caused some property damage" said the General Authority of Civil Aviation.