Several explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital, including a large blast at Riyadh’s international airport, a witness told The Associated Press, a day after the kingdom said an attack on the airport killed one person and wounded others.
The blasts had an immediate effect on markets, as the price of crude oil jumped and Saudi Arabia slid further into the latest front in the Iran war. Hundreds of flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen claimed responsibility for the new attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, saying the ballistic missile caused damage but giving no evidence. The Saudis had no immediate comment about the claim.
The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, Major General Turki al-Malki, said they intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh, along with a ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait, in the southwest near the Yemen border.
Saudi civil defence authorities said debris from an interception damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex, with no mention of any casualties.
Houthis warn airlines about using Saudi airspace
The Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks against Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesman, said in a statement late Thursday that the rebels fired more ballistic and cruise missiles at the airports in Riyadh and the southwestern city of Najran, near the border with Yemen, disrupting flights. The AP could not independently verify the claims.
Earlier, the rebels had warned global airlines “for the last time” about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they called a theatre for its military operations.
In their new statement, the Houthis also warned people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities that “represent targets for our forces" as the rebels press a declared blockade against the world's top oil exporter.
King Khalid International Airport “closed again,” the Flightradar24 monitor said on X not long after the blasts. “Last landing 80+ minutes ago. Last take off 90+ minutes ago.”
Fire and ambulance crews deployed and smoke was visible, the witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity around discussing security issues in the kingdom.
The witness said outgoing flights were halted and passengers were instructed to leave checked-in luggage behind and evacuate.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on X that Air India has suspended operations through Saturday, while Lufthansa Group said in a statement that its airlines will suspend their flights to Riyadh through October 16.
A US Embassy security alert said citizens should be aware of potential airspace closures and told US government employees not to travel within 32 kilometres of the Yemen border.
Pakistan and Turkey consider assistance for the Saudis
Saudi Arabia has sought support from allies, including the United States, in the face of the Houthi attacks. Officials have said US support has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive.
Turkey and Pakistan are assessing possible air defence, electronic warfare and technical assistance for Saudi Arabia under a trilateral agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, while stressing that the deal is defensive, not offensive.
“Turkey will not be sending troops into another country’s territory to carry out an attack,” he said, adding that Ankara was trying to resolve the issue through diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Information Ministry on said relevant authorities would provide details of any military involvement if necessary.
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