• Two terminals now operational, but flight activity remains sparse
• Yemeni rebels renew warning to airlines, airport staff and travellers
• Saudi Arabia claims intercepting more missiles and drones
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said two terminals of its main airport had partially resumed operations on Sunday, despite renewed threats from Houthi forces, as the kingdom intercepted another wave of missiles and drones.
The Yemeni rebels have continued their daily attacks on the kingdom, the world’s largest oil exporter, despite Saudi strikes against the group.
The airport’s partial reopening came after a deadly attack earlier this month forced it to suspend operations.
After Saudi authorities announced the partial resumption of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree renewed a warning to airlines, airport staff and travellers early on Sunday, saying the airport remained a “military target” and would “never be safe”.
Late on Saturday, the airport said Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights and Terminal 2 international flights operated by national carriers from Sunday.
Despite the announcement, flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed little traffic at the airport on Sunday.
The airport had halted operations on Oct 10 following an attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, the deadliest in the kingdom in more than a decade.
Attacks continue
Saudi civil defence authorities issued emergency alerts for Riyadh and the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran on Sunday, before announcing minutes later that the danger had passed.
The coalition said two drones and a ballistic missile had been launched towards Riyadh, and a cruise missile towards the southern city of Khamis Mushait. It later said it had intercepted 10 ballistic missiles fired towards southern Saudi Arabia. “The bombardment has been very heavy since this morning. May God keep us safe. Everything is shaking because of the explosions,” a resident of Khamis Mushait told AFP on Sunday on condition of anonymity.
The attacks came after Houthi fighters said within 24 hours, they had targeted three Saudi airports, including the one in Riyadh, as well as energy installations, a pipeline and an air base.
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026
