The Saudi-led military coalition in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government announced on Monday that it had intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis towards Riyadh, shortly after hearing explosions in the capital.
The official spokesman for the coalition, Turki Al-Maliki, said on X, “Intercepting and destroying a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh.”
Muhammad Al-Bukhaiti, a member of the political bureau of the Ansar Allah movement, had promised the United States a “swift and painful response” if it intervened in the conflict between the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, and Saudi Arabia, which supports the recognized Yemeni government, warning of a “comprehensive escalation.”
The Houthi official told Agence France-Presse, "If America is involved in the aggression against Yemen, we will not study the decision to respond. There will be a quick and painful response that targets America and all its interests in the region wherever our hands reach them."
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would decide "quickly" on whether the United States would join Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis, following the attack on Riyadh airport. Iran also confirmed its readiness to "facilitate dialogue between the parties" to the conflict, after strikes launched by the Houthis on targets in Saudi Arabia.
In light of the Houthis intensifying their strikes on the Kingdom, Bakhiti warned "all employees or workers in Saudi oil facilities or in all airports not to approach those facilities because they have become a legitimate target for Yemen, especially since things are heading in the direction of comprehensive escalation."
For his part, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that the events that occurred in the past few weeks were severe, and that the Kingdom’s response must be equally severe, while Iran shows its willingness to mediate between Riyadh and the Ansar Allah group in Yemen.
The Saudi government news channel reported on Monday that the coalition led by Riyadh in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government is dealing with a “threat” with drones and missiles, without specifying the destination of the attack in Saudi Arabia.
The channel posted on social media platforms, “The Coalition: A threat with drones and cruises on the Kingdom is currently being dealt with.”
In his speech during the opening of the World Petroleum Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, son of King Salman, explained that global energy is facing a “real test*,” noting that Saudi Arabia has developed plans to maintain energy security before crises occur.
“There cannot be an energy future for all unless energy security is achieved for all*,” according to the Saudi Minister of Energy.
The Ansar Allah group in Yemen (the Houthis) announced on Monday, through its military spokesman, Yahya Saree, the implementation of four specific operations using a number of “ballistic and winged missiles and drones, targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in three stages since the evening of yesterday, which led to the disruption of navigation at the airport and its complete closure.”
The statement indicated that operations were carried out targeting Aramco's Shedqum gas station in the Eastern Province, and a factory belonging to the company in the Eastern Province as well, in addition to King Fahd Airport in Dammam.
Attacks targeted King Khalid Airport on Saturday and Sunday, and the attack that occurred on Saturday resulted in the death of 13 people and the injury of more than 300 others.
In terms of flights, Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of work at Riyadh Airport, which was subjected to Houthi attacks during the past days, without specifying a date for the resumption of operations, while an informed source stated that the suspension will continue until at least Thursday.
While it was reported that the closure of the airport will continue until 21:00 GMT on October 17, according to a notice issued to pilots.
The attacks caused disruption to air traffic, with international companies, including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and Etihad Airways, extending the suspension of their flights to the Kingdom, while the US Embassy expanded its security measures to include all Saudi airports, and the US Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines of potential security risks in Saudi airspace, against the backdrop of military activities and interference with navigation systems.
Americans detained in Saudi Arabia to film the events of the attacks
On a separate level, the US Embassy in Riyadh reported on Monday that American citizens were detained in Saudi Arabia on the grounds of taking pictures of events related to the Houthi attacks on the Kingdom, without providing details about their number or if they are still detained.
The embassy said in a statement, “American citizens were detained for taking photos of recent events. Visitors and residents are subject to local laws while in the Kingdom*, noting warnings from the Saudi Ministry of Interior that “filming, publishing, or sharing information related to missiles, anti-drones, and their landing sites exposes to legal accountability.”
Foreign residents reported to Agence France-Presse that similar arrests were carried out against people they knew who took photos or video clips and posted them on social media sites.
An Emirati call to enhance defense cooperation
Advisor to the Emirati President, Anwar Gargash, on Monday called on the Arab Gulf states to strengthen their collective security system, after Saudi Arabia was exposed to continuous attacks launched by the Ansar Allah group in Yemen.
Gargash wrote on the
He stressed "the necessity of reviving joint Gulf action, especially in its security and defense aspects, and strengthening the collective security system." It is the dimension that witnessed a gross negligence that encouraged others to insult us*, adding that “Gulf security is a shared responsibility that cannot tolerate complacency or postponement.”
The UAE, which in recent months has shown a difference in views with Saudi Arabia regarding foreign policy, especially regarding the Yemeni conflict, expressed its “full” solidarity with the Kingdom following the unprecedented attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday.
Military operations continue in Yemen
In Yemen, battles and military operations have continued since the renewed escalation last July, and in September the Ansar Allah group expanded its areas of control at the expense of the government, to include the entire western coast overlooking the Red Sea, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which prompted government forces to launch a counterattack.
The group reported on Sunday that two Saudi raids targeted Sanaa Governorate, which has been controlled by the Houthis since 2014.
Through a series of attacks they carried out last night, Ansar Allah fighters were able to close all exits to Taiz in southwestern Yemen, tightening the noose around the city, which is still under the control of government forces, according to what military sources on both sides reported.
The sources indicated on Monday that more than 60 people were killed on both sides during the past 24 hours.
During the past few days, the Iranian-backed group took control of parts of southern Taiz, the third largest city in Yemen, after cutting off the road linking it to Aden, where the temporary headquarters of the internationally recognized government supported by Saudi Arabia is located.
Yemeni government military sources told AFP on Monday that the Houthis had tightened the noose at the southwestern entrance to the city.
A field officer with the Yemeni government forces confirmed that the group closed the four exits to the city, adding that "they are now controlling it with fire and shooting at any vehicle that passes through it."
“Continuing fighting will only lead to more suffering.”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Monday to "avoid another catastrophe" in the wake of the attack on Riyadh airport, noting that continued fighting would only lead to more suffering.
Volker Türk said in a statement, “I am deeply dismayed by the repeated attacks launched by the Houthis over the past few days on airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the death and injury of dozens of Saudis and foreign nationals, especially the horrific attack that took place yesterday on the main airport in Riyadh*.
Before the renewed war, Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the world, was already suffering from a massive humanitarian crisis.
“The heavy toll this conflict is inflicting on civilians, whether in Yemen or in Saudi Arabia, reminds all parties that continuing the fighting will only lead to more suffering, with no prospect of an end,” Türk said.
He continued, "I urge them to reduce the escalation and avoid another catastrophe."
