Story perspectives

Saudi suspends airports after Oct. 8-10 attacks

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 2:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing at least 13 and injuring over 300.
The attacks occurred from Oct. 8-10, 2026.
Saudi authorities suspended airport operations and diverted incoming flights.
Airlines including Air France-KLM, Etihad and Lufthansa halted service to Saudi Arabia.
U.S. President Donald Trump called the strike terrible and said he would discuss action with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

History

Historical Context

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and a coalition of the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states launched a military intervention in Yemen. The coalition deployed roughly 100,000 troops and spent over $10 billion on air operations during the first year, according to United Nations reports. The October 2026 Houthi missile strike on Khalid Airport forced Air France-KLM, Etihad and Lufthansa to suspend flights, echoing rebels’ ability to hit Saudi infrastructure. The pattern shows that without a negotiated settlement, Saudi Arabia may face recurring aviation disruptions, prompting heightened regional security and renewed diplomatic pressure.

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Story summary

Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing at least 13 and injuring over 300.
The attacks occurred from Oct. 8-10, 2026.
Saudi authorities suspended airport operations and diverted incoming flights.
Airlines including Air France-KLM, Etihad and Lufthansa halted service to Saudi Arabia.
U.S. President Donald Trump called the strike terrible and said he would discuss action with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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