Houthis Claim Riyadh Airport Attack, Threaten Saudi Airspace

A loud blast at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday prompted evacuations and a rush of ambulances, but authorities had not confirmed the cause. The incident followed Houthi-claimed attacks earlier in the week that killed three people, including an airline pilot, wounded others and damaged a Saudia aircraft; Saudi forces said they intercepted missiles aimed at the kingdom. Earlier attacks were also reported at airports in Najran, Jizan and Aden, where a Cairo-bound flight was diverted to Jeddah. Flights to Riyadh were diverted or cancelled, and Etihad and Qatar Airways suspended services as European aviation authorities widened warnings about operating in parts of Saudi airspace. The Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace as fighting continued alongside a Saudi-backed offensive in Yemen, while organizers said scheduled energy and investment conferences in Riyadh were expected to proceed with security measures in place.