Saudi says resilience tested, vows response after deadly airport attacks

RIYADH, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —

Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday that a series of Houthi attacks on the kingdom’s airports had “tested our infrastructure, our institutions, our people and our resilience” and that Saudi Arabia would mount a “serious” response.

Prince Abdulaziz made the comments at an energy conference in Riyadh, warning that “energy security can’t be taken for granted” and that the recent events required an equally serious response. He linked the attacks to broader regional tensions, noting that the Saudi‑led coalition’s involvement in Yemen’s civil war has “re‑ignited months into the US‑Iran conflict that has roiled energy markets and plunged the Middle East into crisis.”

The deadliest strike occurred on Saturday, when Houthi‑launched missiles and drones hit King Khalid International Airport, killing 13 people and wounding hundreds. Saudi authorities released CCTV footage showing pilgrims in religious attire waiting in departure lounges when a sudden flash tore through the building, sending flaming debris across the terminal. One resident of the Al‑Aarid neighbourhood in northern Riyadh said the blast made “the whole house shake.”

Earlier attacks on Wednesday and Thursday had claimed four lives, and a further fatality was recorded on Sunday. On Monday, operations at the sprawling Riyadh airport remained suspended. Saudi state broadcaster Al‑Ekhbariya reported that the military coalition was responding to ongoing drone and missile threats, while Australia’s embassy in Riyadh warned its citizens to shelter in place.

The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for multiple attacks over the preceding 24 hours, including the Riyadh airport strike, and warned that Saudi transit hubs would remain “a theatre of operations for our forces.” Hours later, the coalition confirmed that another projectile had struck the Riyadh airport, igniting a fire, and that air defences had intercepted a missile nearby. AFP journalists and local witnesses reported hearing several blasts in the capital on Sunday.

The violence was not confined to Riyadh. Early on Monday, Saudi officials said a strike on Dammam airport in the east had killed one person and injured 11. The coalition also said it had “intercepted and destroyed” a Houthi ballistic missile heading for Khamis Mushait, a southern city that hosts a major Saudi military base.

The attacks come as Riyadh prepares to host the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, a flagship event that draws foreign leaders and business executives. Organisers have not announced any changes to the programme, but the heightened security environment has raised concerns among potential investors.

Security analysts highlighted the strain on Saudi defences. Thomas Juneau, a security analyst at Ottawa University, said Saudi air defences have been able to intercept some Houthi missile and drone attacks, but “Saudi Arabia is so large that it’s simply impossible for them to consistently defend themselves.” He added that the Houthi attacks on oil, military and transport facilities across the kingdom are stretching Saudi defences despite “vast spending on military hardware.”

The anti‑Houthi coalition described Saturday’s airport strike as a “full‑fledged war crime” and vowed to “respond decisively.” The United Nations and several national leaders condemned the attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Iran, which backs the Houthi movement, expressed that it was “deeply concerned” over the recent escalation.

Witnesses to the Saturday strike described chaos in the terminal. A 32‑year‑old Riyadh resident told AFP that “some had lost a hand or an arm. People were running while carrying injured people, covered in blood.” The same resident said the blast caused the terminal’s roof to collapse in places, trapping passengers and staff.

Saudi Arabia has led an international coalition that has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government militarily since 2015, including efforts to control Yemeni airspace and the airport in the Houthi‑held capital Sanaa. The coalition’s involvement has been a central factor in the broader regional confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Prince Abdulaziz’s call for a “serious” response signals that the kingdom is likely to intensify its military and defensive posture. The energy minister did not specify the nature of the response, but the statement aligns with the coalition’s earlier pledge to “respond decisively” to what it termed a war crime.

The immediate next step, according to the coalition, is the continued interception and destruction of Houthi projectiles targeting Saudi territory. Saudi officials said they remain on high alert and that air‑defence systems are fully operational across the kingdom’s major transport hubs.

The series of attacks and the minister’s remarks arrive as Saudi Arabia pursues an ambitious economic reform agenda aimed at attracting foreign investment. The disruption to its primary international airport, coupled with heightened security concerns, could affect investor sentiment ahead of the FII conference and may influence the kingdom’s broader diversification plans.

The situation remains fluid, with Saudi defences actively engaging further threats and the coalition signalling readiness for escalated action. The kingdom’s next moves will be closely watched by regional markets, energy traders and investors monitoring the impact on oil supply and the stability of the Gulf’s economic outlook.