Why are Houthi strikes targeting Riyadh airport?

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh suspended all commercial operations after a deadly missile and drone strike by Yemen's Houthi movement on Oct. 10. The assault killed 13 people and left more than 300 injured, making it the deadliest single strike inside Saudi borders in over a decade.

Following a two-week halt in traffic, Saudi airport management partially restored service on Sunday. Domestic flights restarted from Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 began accommodating international routes operated by domestic airlines.

Despite the restart of commercial aviation, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree issued a public warning advising airlines, passengers, and airport workers to avoid the facility entirely. The Iran-aligned group classified the airport as an ongoing military target and asserted that Saudi authorities would bear responsibility for casualties resulting from future attacks.

Attacks aimed at the Saudi capital have persisted. Regional coalition forces reported shooting down a ballistic missile directed at Riyadh, as well as intercepting two drones near the capital and another over the Eastern Province.

The strikes follow the collapse of a multi-year ceasefire over the summer. Fighting intensified after Houthi units advanced and seized strategic territories near the Red Sea during the preceding month.

In response, the Saudi-led coalition stepped up air raids against Houthi positions and provided military assistance to internationally recognized Yemeni government troops conducting counteroffensives. Throughout the broader conflict, the Houthis have repeatedly used ballistic missiles and uncrewed aircraft against Saudi energy assets, seaports, and civil air infrastructure.

The heightened attacks on Saudi Arabia are occurring alongside growing friction across the Middle East. In the Strait of Hormuz, two supertankers carrying over 4.5 million barrels of crude oil were disabled by naval mines in an unauthorized transit route, forcing their crews to abandon ship. Iranian officials have additionally warned that underwater internet cables beneath the strait could face disruption if their facilities come under assault.

Citing heightened threats, the US government instructed non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families to depart Saudi Arabia. Washington has also deployed extra naval forces, including the planned movement of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group, as American officials raised alarms over Iranian plotting against US personnel across the region.

Houthi forces have pledged to continue strikes against King Khalid International Airport, while Saudi coalition defences remain on alert after intercepting incoming missiles and drones. Meanwhile, the United States is moving additional naval forces into the region amid warnings of potential strikes against Iranian targets.