Houthis threaten Riyadh Airport after reopening announcement

• Houthi armed forces issued a warning for airlines, airport employees and passengers using Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
• The group described the airport as unsafe and said it would continue operations targeting the facility.
• The warning comes as Riyadh airport announces the resumption of operations.

Yemeni Houthi media published a statement from the group’s armed forces early Sunday warning airlines against using Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, hours after Saudi Arabia announced plans to reopen the facility later in the day.

The statement warned international, regional and domestic airlines, as well as airport employees and passengers, against travelling through the airport, describing it as unsafe and declaring it a military target.

“The Saudi regime bears the consequences of any operation of the airport,” the statement said, warning that the group would continue its operations targeting the facility.

The armed forces added that the airport “will never be safe,” threatening further operations against it.

The warning comes after Saudi Arabia announced the resumption of operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport starting Sunday Oct. 25. 

On Oct. 10, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was hit by a series of attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, prompting repeated disruptions before operations were suspended. Saudi authorities said the attack killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, while earlier strikes on October 8 killed three people, including a Saudia Airlines pilot, and damaged airport facilities and an aircraft. 

Read more: Riyadh airport to resume flights after prolonged closure caused by Houthi attacks