Report: Houthi attacks confuse the return of the German Economy Minister from Riyadh

The Houthis in Yemen, supported by Iran, announced today, Sunday (October 11), that they had targeted Riyadh Airport several times, in addition to energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, during the past 24 hours, in the wake of an attack they launched on the Saudi capital’s airport (King Khalid International Airport) yesterday, Saturday, which resulted in the killing of at least 12 people and the injury of 309, in the worst attack targeting Saudi Arabia in more than ten years.

Following the attack, the Saudi Airlines announced the extension of the suspension of airport operations until further notice. A source told Agence France-Presse that the available information “indicates that some systems, such as radar and communications equipment, have been damaged,” noting that the condition of the stands must also be assessed.

The attack on Riyadh Airport sparked widespread condemnation from many world leaders and the United Nations. The embassies of the United States, Canada, Germany and Spain called on their citizens not to use Riyadh airport.

The attack came during a period full of entertainment and economic events in the Kingdom. The World Energy Conference kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday after it had been postponed due to the war in the Middle East.

It appears that the ambiguous situation was affected by German Economy Minister Katerina Reiche, who is currently in the Saudi capital, according to what the German newspaper “Bild” reported.

The minister had arrived in Riyadh before the attacks, while sources said that the minister was scheduled to continue her program and meetings as planned.

On Sunday afternoon, her ministry published a photo of herself on Instagram during her participation in a conference, accompanied by the phrase: “Working for energy security in Germany.”

The newspaper said that the minister’s scheduled return tomorrow, Monday (October 12, 2026) via Riyadh Airport, will most likely not take place as planned.

The newspaper quoted government sources as saying that Reiche was scheduled to travel, with the support of the Saudi government, to Doha, and from there return to Germany on a German Air Force plane. However, how it moved from Riyadh to Doha is still unclear.

In response to an inquiry from the newspaper, the ministry said, “Due to the closure of the airport, the return flight scheduled for tomorrow will likely not take place according to plan. The minister and her employees will return safe and sound.”

The Ministry explained that the necessary logistical arrangements for this are currently being coordinated between the ministries and competent authorities, and alternative options for return are being considered.

Reiche experienced drone attacks in Kyiv just one week ago. She accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a trip to the Ukrainian capital.