US Issues Saudi Airport Warning After Houthi Attacks Kill Three
The US State Department has warned citizens in Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes on two major airports killed three people and injured 36.
By The Aviation Hub
4 min read
The US State Department has issued a warning about Saudi Arabia airports after Houthi air attacks on two major airports killed three people and left 36 injured on 6 and 7 October 2026.
The US Embassy in Riyadh cited "Houthi public threats against airports and airspace across Saudi Arabia" as it urged American citizens to "exercise heightened vigilance," according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo.
What Happened at the Two Saudi Arabia Airports
AeroTime reports that attacks struck King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh and Abha International Airport (AHB) in south-western Saudi Arabia. Yemen's Houthi fighters claimed responsibility for both strikes.
At Abha International Airport, two women were killed: one Moroccan national and one Algerian national. A further 28 people were injured there. At King Khalid International Airport, one Sudanese resident was killed and eight people were injured. AeroTime notes that injuries ranged from minor to serious and that all those injured were taken to hospital.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had targeted King Khalid with drones and Abha with ballistic missiles and drones, according to AeroTime.
How Riyadh Airport Responded During the Attack
Early on Wednesday morning, inbound flights to King Khalid International Airport were held in patterns away from the airfield while an attack was detected. Paddle Your Own Kanoo reports that once the all-clear was given, operations resumed with little disruption.
Four Saudi Airports Struck in Total
The attacks on Riyadh and Abha were not isolated. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GCAA) confirmed on 6 October that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport (GIZ) in Jazan and Najran International Airport (EAM) had also come under attack the previous evening, injuring three people and causing property damage, according to AeroTime.
The attacks on 6 and 7 October also came just over two weeks after a Houthi missile struck a fuel storage tank at King Khalid International Airport, sending a large plume of thick black smoke over Riyadh, Paddle Your Own Kanoo reports.
Aden Airport Also Struck
The violence extended beyond Saudi borders. AeroTime reports that Yemen's internationally recognised government said Aden International Airport came under attack at dawn on 7 October as a civilian flight was approaching to land. Yemen's foreign ministry accused the Houthis of using two ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones in that strike, and called on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to help strengthen protections for civil aviation.
The GCAA's Response
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said it was "working with relevant authorities to assess the damage, verify the safety of the facilities, and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and maintain the security and safety of operations within the Kingdom's civil aviation system," according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo. Both airports sustained damage, AeroTime confirms.
What This Means for Airlines in the Region
The threat to Saudi Arabia airports comes at a difficult moment for carriers across the Middle East. Paddle Your Own Kanoo notes that airlines have been working to recover from disruption during March and April, when Iran launched drone and missile strikes on airports including Dubai International Airport and Bahrain International Airport.
The situation is described as a particularly troubling development for Riyadh Air, the Saudi government-backed carrier launched as part of the Kingdom's push to become a major aviation power. You can find background on carriers operating across the region using our Airline Search tool.
The Houthis have warned civilian aircraft to keep out of Saudi airspace, AeroTime reports, and renewed fighting between Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognised government shows no sign of easing.
The Bottom Line
Three people are dead, 36 are injured, and four Saudi airports have now been struck in a single week. The US State Department warning adds a formal diplomatic dimension to a security situation that is already affecting flight operations at some of the region's busiest hubs.
All confirmed incidents from this developing situation are being tracked on our Squawk 7700 hub, the live emergency board and incident archive. We will update our coverage if the GCAA or relevant authorities release further information.
Continue to follow The Aviation Hub for more analysis and insight.
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