Saudi Arabia faced renewed security threats on Monday after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed further missile and drone attacks on the kingdom, escalating a crisis that has disrupted aviation, raised concerns over energy infrastructure and heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on Monday, while the Houthis claimed to have targeted the capital’s airport and a military base in southern Saudi Arabia. There were no immediate reports of fresh damage from the latest attempted strikes.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is expected to remain closed until at least October 17, according to an aviation notice issued on Monday. The suspension follows a series of attacks over the weekend that killed 14 people and injured hundreds, according to the latest figures reported by DW. A subsequent strike also killed a Pakistani national and injured 11 people at the airport complex, dw.com reports.
The disruption has spread across regional aviation networks. Qatar Airways suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam, while Etihad Airways cancelled services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Other international carriers have also suspended or adjusted services amid heightened security concerns.
Saudi authorities are investigating how missiles reached the capital despite the kingdom’s air-defence systems. Preliminary findings cited by The Associated Press indicate that drones may have been used ahead of cruise and ballistic missiles, potentially complicating interception efforts. The investigation is examining why earlier warnings were not issued.
The attacks have drawn strong regional condemnation. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt described the strikes as a dangerous escalation and called for an immediate halt to the attacks, reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia’s right to take legitimate measures to defend itself.
US President Donald Trump has said Washington is considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis, leaving open the possibility of direct US involvement. Such a move could widen the conflict, which is unfolding amid the broader confrontation involving the United States and Iran.
Iran, meanwhile, has offered to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Tehran said it was concerned about the escalating hostilities and urged the parties to pursue negotiations. The crisis has also raised concerns about the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and investor confidence.
Oil prices rose on Monday amid fears of further supply disruptions, while Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman warned that energy security could not be taken for granted and called for a serious response to the evolving threats.
Saudi Arabia has continued its energy-sector engagements despite the attacks, seeking to maintain confidence in its infrastructure and long-term economic diversification plans. However, the continued threat to airports and other strategic facilities underscores the growing economic and security risks facing the kingdom and the wider Gulf region.