Explosions shake Riyadh as Saudi airport attempts to reopen after attacks

Explosions rang out in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Sunday, October 25, 2026, just as the city's international airport prepared to resume flights following a two-week closure.

What Happened

An AFP journalist heard three blasts in the early hours, while local residents received phone alerts warning of a hostile aerial threat and urging them to stay safe. The Saudi-led military coalition stated that its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, along with two drones in the capital area. Later that morning, the coalition also intercepted a cruise missile fired toward the southern city of Khamis Mushait. The renewed violence follows the collapse of a years-long truce between Yemen's Houthis and the Riyadh-backed government. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that King Khalid Airport remains an unsafe military target, asking airlines and travellers to avoid it.

Impact

Earlier Houthi strikes on Riyadh's airport included a recent attack that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, marking the deadliest incident in the kingdom in over a decade. Over a 24-hour period, the group stated it targeted three Saudi airports, energy installations, a pipeline, and an air base. Falling debris was also reported in the Mecca and Medina regions after two missiles were intercepted on Saturday, though the Houthis denied targeting those holy cities. The conflict has destabilised the region, disrupted oil markets, and dealt a heavy blow to Saudi Arabia's efforts to change its international image.

Context

Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, a conflict that has increasingly spilled over the border into Saudi territory. Major international airports and energy infrastructure in the kingdom have faced repeated aerial assaults, affecting travel and commerce in the region.