Riyadh (TDI): Yemen’s Houthi group said on Monday it had attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West crude oil pumping stations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, although Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the strikes.
The claims came as the Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed two ballistic missile launchers in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, including one it said had been used to fire a missile towards Riyadh that was subsequently intercepted.
The Houthis have intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, ports and energy infrastructure, adding to regional instability and raising concerns about disruptions to global oil supplies.
The latest claims follow renewed threats against Riyadh’s main airport, which partially resumed operations at two terminals on Sunday after a suspension earlier this month.
Saudi authorities announced that King Khalid International Airport would resume limited operations, assigning Terminal 1 to domestic flights and Terminal 2 to international flights operated by national carriers.
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However, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines, airport employees and travellers against using the facility, describing it as a military target and saying it would not be safe.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed limited air traffic at the airport on Sunday despite the announcement of the partial reopening.
The airport suspended operations on October 10 following an attack claimed by the Houthis that reportedly killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 others. The incident was described in reports as the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
The Saudi-led coalition previously said the Houthis had carried out 20 attacks targeting the airport between October 1 and 11.
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Saudi authorities also reported intercepting missiles and drones on Sunday as the fighting continued. Civil Defense said falling debris from the interception of two ballistic missiles over Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah injured two people and damaged residential buildings and vehicles.
The coalition reported intercepting additional projectiles directed towards Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities issued temporary danger alerts for several cities, including Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, before subsequently announcing that the immediate danger had passed.
