Houthis claim new missile attack on Riyadh airport as Saudi Arabia says it intercepted missile

The Houthis said on Monday that they carried out a new attack on Riyadh's airport, claiming a ballistic missile was fired at the Saudi capital. Saudi authorities said they had destroyed a missile headed toward Riyadh, while the airport closure was extended and airlines cancelled flights. The claims and counterclaims came amid continuing cross-border strikes linked to the conflict in Yemen.

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According to the group's statement, the missile targeted the airport in Riyadh, where 12 people were killed and about 300 were injured in an attack on Saturday. The same statement also said a drone strike hit the air base at Khamis Mushait. Saudi Arabia had not immediately commented on the Houthis' latest claim, but it said earlier that it had intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and warned the public of a possible hostile threat.

The disruption to aviation has widened as the airport closure in Riyadh was extended until Saturday and airlines cancelled flights. The Houthis also issued a warning on Sunday telling airlines, travellers and airport staff to stay away from Saudi airports. Shortly afterwards, the Saudi-led coalition said an unidentified projectile had struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, adding to uncertainty over the scale and timing of the damage.

The latest claims matter because they show how the conflict is spilling beyond Yemen and into critical civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Airports are sensitive targets because they affect travel, trade and public confidence, and repeated alerts can force authorities to tighten security and suspend operations. The situation also raises the risk of further escalation between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition.

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The Houthis, who are based in Yemen, have repeatedly used missiles and drones in attacks that they say are aimed at Saudi military and strategic sites. Saudi Arabia has responded with air defences, public warnings and, in some cases, counterstrikes. The airport in Riyadh has already been at the centre of deadly violence, making the latest claims part of a broader pattern of attacks and reprisals.

What remains unclear is the extent of any damage from the latest missile claim and whether the drone strike on Khamis Mushait caused casualties or disruption. It is also not yet clear how long the Riyadh airport restrictions will remain in place or whether further attacks will follow. The next developments to watch are any official Saudi assessment, possible flight updates and whether the Houthis issue more claims against aviation targets.

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