Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Sunday as authorities prepared to reopen King Khalid International Airport following a two-week closure triggered by repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
An AFP journalist in the city reported hearing three explosions in the early hours of Sunday, while residents received alerts warning of a “hostile aerial threat” and urging them to seek safety.
Saudi Arabia has faced a wave of attacks by the Houthis in recent weeks amid renewed fighting following the collapse of a years-long truce between the group and Yemen’s internationally recognised, Riyadh-backed government.
The airport had announced plans to resume flights on Sunday, although it remained unclear how fully operations would be restored.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that King Khalid International Airport remained unsafe, describing it as a military target and urging airlines, airport workers and travellers to avoid the facility.
“The Saudi regime shall bear the consequences of any operations at the airport,” Saree said.
The warning came as the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis reported intercepting a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh and two drones in the capital area.
The coalition later said its air defences intercepted a cruise missile fired towards Khamis Mushait, a city in southern Saudi Arabia. Alerts were also issued for Abha and Namas as attacks appeared to target locations across the kingdom’s south.
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A resident of Khamis Mushait told AFP that the bombardment had been heavy, describing explosions that shook the area.
The coalition also announced on Sunday that it had intercepted 10 Houthi missiles fired towards southern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis had claimed that they targeted three Saudi airports within 24 hours, alongside energy facilities, a pipeline and an air base. The group has also repeatedly threatened Saudi infrastructure amid the escalating conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence agency said it responded on Saturday to falling debris in the Mecca and Medina regions after two missiles were intercepted. The Houthis denied targeting the two cities, which are Islam’s holiest sites, dismissing the Saudi account as a “huge lie”.
The latest escalation has also extended into Yemen, where the Houthis said they attacked a naval base and a military camp overseen by Saudi forces in Aden, the interim seat of the Saudi-backed government.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, leads a military coalition fighting the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. The renewed hostilities have disrupted businesses and airline operations, heightened security concerns among residents and added pressure to regional oil markets.
The conflict has further destabilised the region following a Houthi offensive that, according to the report, brought the group into control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast last month.
The renewed attacks pose a challenge to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to maintain stability and strengthen its international image as it seeks to attract investment, tourism and global business.