RIYADH, Saudi Arabia | October 25, 2026Saudi | Arabia intercepted missiles and drones targeting the kingdom as Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened selected terminals on Sunday, October 25, amid continuing hostilities involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and heightened security concerns across the region.
The airport reopening marked a limited resumption of operations following earlier disruptions linked to security threats. Terminals 1 and 2 resumed services for domestic and international flights operated by Saudi national carriers, but flight schedules remained subject to change as airlines assessed the security situation. Passengers were advised to confirm their bookings directly with their airlines before travelling.
Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted multiple incoming threats, including ballistic missiles and drones, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the kingdom’s official news agency. Saudi military spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki reported interceptions involving Riyadh and southern parts of the country. The full circumstances surrounding the reported attacks, including any damage or casualties, were not independently established in the available official statements.
The incidents came amid renewed tensions involving the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, the armed movement that controls Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The group has previously launched attacks against Saudi territory during the conflict, which began escalating into a regional war after a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support the internationally recognized government.
The conflict has caused widespread destruction and contributed to a prolonged humanitarian crisis. A United Nations-brokered truce that began in April 2022 reduced hostilities but expired in October of that year without a renewed formal agreement. UN-led diplomatic efforts have continued to seek a political settlement and a lasting ceasefire.
The reopening of Riyadh airport offers some relief to travellers, but the reported interceptions underline the continuing security risks facing Saudi Arabia. The extent of disruption to airline services and the full impact of the latest attacks remain subject to further updates from Saudi authorities and aviation operators.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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