Saudi Arabia faces new missile and drone fire after major attacks on airports
RIYADH, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said it was under a fresh barrage of incoming drones and missiles on Monday, prompting the continued closure of Riyadh’s main airport after a deadly missile strike on the…
Source: The Star · October 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM · AI-assisted report
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RIYADH, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —
RIYADH, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said it was under a fresh barrage of incoming drones and missiles on Monday, prompting the continued closure of Riyadh’s main airport after a deadly missile strike on the departure terminal on Saturday that the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement claimed.
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The renewed fire comes as the Saudi‑led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, reported the detection of drones and missiles but gave no immediate confirmation of interceptions. The attacks have forced the suspension of operations at Riyadh airport and left much of the capital’s airspace empty, even as the city hosts a major energy conference.
The Houthi group has intensified attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week, part of a rapid escalation that has spilled over from the broader regional confrontation between the United States and Iran. The strikes have shut down parts of Saudi airspace and disrupted the flow of passengers and cargo through the kingdom’s primary hub, adding pressure to an already strained security environment.
Saudi officials said the kingdom re‑entered Yemen’s civil war to push the Hououts from the vital Bab el‑Mandeb Strait oil route and to halt the group’s recent advances in September. Yemeni military sources told Reuters that forces supported by Riyadh have made some gains around Bab el‑Mandeb but remain on the back foot on other fronts, suggesting that any pressure on the Houthis could take time to produce results.
Iran, a long‑time regional rival of Saudi Arabia, offered to mediate between its Houthi allies and the kingdom. “We have repeatedly expressed our readiness to help facilitate dialogue between the parties,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
Despite the offer, the Houthis showed no sign of easing their barrage, with Yemeni television reporting Saudi airstrikes that hit al‑Jawf province on Monday while the group continued to threaten Saudi airports, airspace and oil installations that underpin the kingdom’s economy and development plans.
At the energy conference in Riyadh, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom would remain focused on attracting investment as part of its broader economic development agenda. “The development of our energy system and industrial capability continues,” he said, underscoring the government’s intent to keep the energy sector on track despite the security disruptions.
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia’s neighbour, called on Monday for a revival of joint Gulf action on security and defence in response to the attacks. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the targeting of Saudi Arabia undermined the security of all Gulf states and warned that the neglect of collective Gulf security had “emboldened others” to overreach against regional states.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia, long partners in the Yemen conflict, have recently diverged over support for different forces within the Yemeni military coalition, a split that emerged last winter.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering joining Saudi Arabia in strikes on the Houthis, but no U.S. action has been reported to date. The situation leaves the kingdom facing a “nightmare predicament,” as it balances intensified air operations, diplomatic overtures and the need to sustain its energy‑focused economic agenda amid an escalating regional security crisis.
Related: Riyadh airport · Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman · Riyadh