RIYADH — October 13, 2026. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three Houthi ballistic missiles on Monday, as the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was extended until at least October 17 amid the worst wave of cross-border attacks the kingdom has faced in years.
The Saudi military said one missile was intercepted over the capital Riyadh and two others were destroyed over Khamis Mushait in the southwest of the country, CNN and coalition officials reported. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the launches, saying they had targeted King Khalid International Airport and a military base, and renewed warnings to international airlines against operating flights to Saudi airports.
Airport closed until at least October 17
Hours before Monday’s missile interceptions, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said King Khalid International Airport would remain closed “to complete the necessary procedures to verify the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities.” A notice to air missions indicates it will stay shut until at least October 17, CNN reported.
The airport — Saudi Arabia’s second-busiest after Jeddah — has been struck four times in five days. Sunday’s attack killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 at Terminal 4, while Saturday’s strike killed at least 13 and wounded more than 300 — the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. Saudi authorities said at least 20 people have been killed in attacks over the past week.
Regional air travel in turmoil
The attacks have emptied Saudi skies. Cirium aviation data showed Riyadh airport cancelled 99.7% of scheduled flights on Sunday, and roughly 46% of all flights across the kingdom were cancelled on Monday. The US Federal Aviation Administration told American airlines to exercise caution flying to or over Saudi Arabia.
European carriers have pulled back sharply: Lufthansa Group cancelled all Riyadh flights until October 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension to the end of the month, Reuters reported. Etihad scrapped all Abu Dhabi-Riyadh flights until October 19 plus selected services to Dammam and Jeddah, while Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia listed dozens of cancelled services to Saudi cities on October 13 and 14.
Riyadh schools shifted to remote learning through Thursday, state media reported.
Energy minister vows serious response
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman slammed the attacks and vowed retaliation, telling the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh — itself disrupted by the strikes — that the kingdom’s answer would be firm.
“The events of recent weeks are serious. Our response must be equally serious,” the prince said. “We, as Saudis, are fearless, combatant and determined people. We shall prove it to the world that whatever we are going through, we will overcome it.”
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree urged airlines to take the group’s warnings seriously, saying Saudi Arabia “bears responsibility for any failed interceptions.” The Houthis have also claimed strikes on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and two Saudi Aramco facilities, though the latter remain unconfirmed. US President Donald Trump has said Washington is considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
