Houthis claim fresh attack on Saudi Arabia
Saudi authorities say drones and missiles were intercepted around Riyadh and in the south.
Follow-up to: Houthis fire fresh missiles towards Riyadh Sunday, 25 October 2026, 21:54
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Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it had intercepted several drones and missiles over Riyadh and in the south of the country. The Houthis also claimed to have carried out another attack on an airport and oil facilities; that claim has not been independently confirmed.
The Saudi coalition fighting the Houthis reported that two drones and a ballistic missile had been launched towards Riyadh. A cruise missile was also reportedly fired at the southern city of Khamis Mushait. Later, the coalition spoke of ten ballistic missiles heading towards the south.
Saudi authorities activated warnings for Riyadh, Abha and Khamis Mushait. Reuters reported that it was subsequently said that the danger had passed. The authorities said the projectiles had been intercepted, but not all launches and interceptions have been independently confirmed.
A Houthi spokesman said that on Saturday the group had attacked King Khalid International Airport near Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities. The airport had earlier said that two terminals were being used on a limited basis again. According to Reuters, Saudi authorities did not respond directly to the Houthi claim.
According to Reuters, an earlier attack on the airport was attributed to the Houthis. Saudi authorities said it had resulted in deaths and injuries. The statements by the Houthis and the Saudi coalition do not provide an independently confirmed picture of the attacks.
The reported attacks could affect aviation in the region. The Houthis have threatened to continue considering the airport a military target. Riyadh is far from the main fronts in Yemen, but is a central hub for air traffic and Saudi political and economic infrastructure.
The escalation is taking place against the backdrop of renewed fighting in Yemen. Reuters writes that a ceasefire which had largely held since 2022 has broken down. For travellers and businesses, the main concern is that airports and routes could once again close temporarily; how long the current threat will last is uncertain.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Saudi Arabia reports intercepting drones and missiles.
- The Houthis claim attacks on an airport and oil facilities.
- The separate claims concerning targets and damage have not been fully independently confirmed.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach will focus primarily on the humanitarian and regional consequences of the escalation and on the responsibility of all parties to protect civilians and infrastructure. It will favour diplomatic pressure and a resumption of negotiations over further military support.
Values Protection of civilians, international law, de-escalation and humanitarian access.
Consequences Greater diplomatic efforts could limit the escalation, but critics may argue that they would provide insufficient deterrence if attacks continue.
Centre
Arguments The centre will combine security and diplomacy: Saudi Arabia has the right to protect its population and infrastructure, while military responses must not be unlimited. Independent verification of claims and international mediation are essential.
Values Proportionality, regional stability, verification and institutional responsibility.
Consequences A combination of limited defence and negotiations could create room for de-escalation, but remains vulnerable as long as the parties do not trust one another.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach will stress that attacks on airports and energy infrastructure must be firmly deterred. It will regard military protection for allies and trade routes as necessary and warn that restraint may be interpreted as weakness by armed groups.
Values National security, deterrence, protection of infrastructure and freedom of navigation.
Consequences More military support could temporarily discourage attacks, but would also increase the risk of a wider regional war and further disruption to energy and transport markets.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text distinguishes confirmed statements by Saudi authorities and Reuters from unconfirmed Houthi claims. Figures for casualties and responsibility are not presented more definitively than the sources allow.
- confirmed Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones and missiles over Riyadh and in the south. — Reuters describes the statement by the Saudi coalition. source
- confirmed The Houthis claimed an attack on King Khalid International Airport and oil facilities. — Reuters reports the claim, but not the actual damage. source
- confirmed The airport resumed limited use of two terminals. — Reuters mentions the resumption of operations. source
- confirmed The ceasefire in Yemen had largely held since 2022 and has now broken down. — This context appears in the Reuters report. source
Editor's note
The interceptions and warnings were reported by Saudi authorities and Reuters. The Houthis’ claims concerning the airport and oil facilities have not been independently confirmed.Sources
- Saudi Arabia intercepts drones and missiles as fighting with Yemen’s Houthis continues — Reuters via Investing.com
- Iran says messages are still being passed to the US amid war concerns — Associated Press
- 1 person killed in attack on eastern Saudi airport, authorities say — Associated Press
The story so far
- Saturday, 24 October 2026, 19:43 Houthis report new attacks on Saudi Arabia
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 08:41 Saudi Arabia reports intercepting Houthi missile and drone
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 13:24 Riyadh airport resumes international flights
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 21:54 Houthis fire fresh missiles towards Riyadh
- Monday, 26 October 2026, 06:52 Houthis claim fresh attack on Saudi Arabia (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „houthi's saoedi-arabië”
- de Volkskrant — „houthi's saoedi-arabië”
- RTL Nieuws — „houthi's saoedi-arabië”