What happened
Houthi forces attacked Abha and Riyadh airports on October 6-7 with ballistic missiles and drones, killing three foreign nationals.
Why it matters
Saudi-led coalition retaliated with strikes on 80+ Houthi military sites across four Yemen governorates, disrupting air traffic at both airports.
Remember this
Three dead in Houthi airport attacks as Saudi Arabia escalates strikes on Yemeni targets.
More context & who is affected
Houthi forces launched coordinated missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abha and Riyadh airports on October 6-7, 2026, killing three foreign nationals — two women at Abha International Airport and one Sudanese man at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Saudi-led coalition struck back with over 80 military operations targeting Houthi sites across Saada, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, and Ma'rib governorates. Coalition spokesperson warned that attacks on Saudi airports will not go unpunished.
The escalation disrupted air traffic at both airports and heightened regional tensions as Houthi forces continue to control Yemen's Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait. At least 36 people were wounded — 28 at Abha and 8 at Riyadh, including five Saudi citizens.
- People killed
- 3 2 at Abha airport, 1 at Riyadh King Khalid airportBBC News
- People injured
- 36 28 wounded at Abha, 8 at Riyadh (5 Saudi citizens)Al Jazeera
Timeline
- Oct 6-7 — Houthi attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports
- Oct 8 — Saudi-led coalition retaliates with 80+ strikes
General Public
Air traffic disrupted at Abha and Riyadh airports as Houthi missile and drone attacks target Saudi aviation infrastructure
World Affairs Readers
Saudi-led coalition retaliates with 80+ strikes on Houthi sites across four Yemen governorates
General Public
Foreign nationals among dead raise travel and diplomatic concerns for Morocco, Algeria, and Sudan
Reporting fromBBC News ↗Al Jazeera ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- BBC NewsReporting
Three people killed in attacks on Saudi Arabia airports, officials say ↗
Published Oct 8, 2026 · Accessed Oct 8, 2026 - Al JazeeraReporting
Saudi Arabia says Houthi attacks on airports killed three foreign nationals ↗
Published Oct 7, 2026 · Accessed Oct 8, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Three people killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia airports on October 6-7, 2026
Two women — Moroccan and Algerian nationals — killed at Abha International Airport
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility using ballistic missiles and drones
Saudi-led coalition targeted more than 80 Houthi military sites across Saada, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, and Ma'rib governorates
