Houthis Attack Saudi Airports as Yemen Fighting Escalates
Houthis launched missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports, killing three people, while Saudi-backed forces launched a counter-offensive in Yemen.
The Houthis launched a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks on October 6 and 7, 2026, targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia. The strikes killed three people—including Moroccan, Algerian, and Sudanese nationals—and injured 36 others. The group also targeted Aden International Airport in Yemen, forcing a flight from Cairo to divert to Jeddah. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the strikes were a response to Saudi aggression and issued a warning to global airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
In retaliation, a Saudi-led coalition struck dozens of Houthi military sites, including command centers and missile storage. Simultaneously, the Government of Yemen launched the "Dawn of Yemen" operation, a military offensive supported by Saudi aircraft to recapture strategic territory near Mocha, the mountain belt of western Taiz, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The escalation has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations reporting that over 200,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting intensified in September. The attacks drew widespread condemnation from Jordan, Bahrain, France, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, who characterized the targeting of civilian infrastructure as a violation of international law. France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs demanded an immediate end to the provocations, warning they further destabilize the region.
