Houthis renew threat to Riyadh airport as flights set to resume Sunday
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh announced on Saturday that flights will resume from Sunday after a suspension caused by attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi group. The group said it had targeted airports, oil facilities and an air base in Saudi Arabia, as well as sites in Aden, the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government, and later renewed its threat against the Riyadh airport. According to Sky News Arabia, Terminal 1 will handle domestic flights and Terminal 2 international flights of national carriers.
Why it matters
King Khalid is one of Saudi Arabia's main aviation hubs, so its reopening directly affects travelers and residents. The renewed threat keeps aviation security in the region under close watch.
Background
King Khalid International Airport is the main airport serving the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are an armed Yemeni group. Aden, according to the source material, is the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government.
Key points
- According to RT Arabic, the Houthis addressed their warning to global, regional and local airlines, as well as to travelers.
- RT Arabic quoted the Houthis as describing the airport as a "military target for their forces and not safe", and saying it "will not be safe".
How outlets covered it
BBC Arabic, CNN Arabic and Sky News Arabia all reported that the airport would resume flights from Sunday. BBC Arabic linked the announcement to the Houthis' claimed attacks on airports, oil facilities and an air base in Saudi Arabia, plus sites in Aden, and highlighted the renewed threat in its headline. CNN Arabic limited itself to the resumption and said the suspension was caused by the attacks, without mentioning the new threat in the text provided. Sky News Arabia focused on operations, reporting that Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights and Terminal 2 international ones. RT Arabic concentrated on the Houthi statement and its warning to airlines and travelers, without mentioning the resumption in the text provided.
How outlets headlined it
- BBC عربي"لا يزال هدفاً عسكرياً" الحوثيون يجددون تهديدهم لمطار الرياض بعد إعلان استئناف الرحلات الأحد
- CNN بالعربيةالسعودية.. استئناف الرحلات الجوية في مطار الملك خالد بالرياض غدًا
- سكاي نيوز عربيةالرياض.. مطار الملك خالد يعيد توزيع الرحلات بالصالات
- روسيا اليوم (RT Arabic)الحوثيون: نجدد تحذيرنا من استخدام مطار الملك خالد في الرياض كونه هدفا عسكريا لقواتنا ولن يكون آمنا
This is a brief summary. The full details and context are in the original coverage.
Read the full story at BBC عربيFollow the story
- Coalition says it intercepted two ballistic missiles and four drones over southern Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia reports one injured as debris from intercepted ballistic missile hits Asir
- Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed 3 Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait
- Saudi forces intercept Houthi missile aimed at Khamis Mushait as group claims strikes
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi ballistic missile
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi attacks; 4 hurt in Riyadh
- Houthis claim hit on Saudi warplane over Saada as missile aimed at Riyadh is intercepted
- Houthi missile attack on presidential palace in Aden leaves at least 4 dead
- Houthi attack on Aden's Maashiq palace leaves casualties as Riyadh accuses Tehran
- Saudi-led coalition reports intercepting drones and missiles as Tehran denies role
- Yemen says two Houthi missiles landed near passenger plane at Aden airport
- Russian embassy advises citizens to postpone travel to Saudi Arabia amid escalation with Houthis
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles
- Two Saudi pilots killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border
- Houthi attack on security camp in Yemen's Shabwa leaves dozens dead or wounded
- Houthis say they targeted Saudi defense ministry as coalition reports intercepting drones and missile
- UAE condemns Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport that killed two
- Saudi-led coalition says it downed 4 drones over Riyadh and Medina as Houthis claim attacks
- Houthis renew threat to Riyadh airport as flights set to resume Sunday
- Saudi Arabia says debris from intercepted Houthi missiles fell in Mecca and Medina regions
- Houthis say they targeted Riyadh airport as coalition reports intercepting 10 missiles
- Two injured in southern Saudi Arabia by debris from intercepted ballistic missiles
- Houthi missile hits Aden airport before group urges evacuation
In this story:Saudi Arabia
This summary was prepared with the help of AI based on the source's reporting and may contain errors. Spotted a mistake? Let us know
