Houthi rebels claim attack after smoke seen near Riyadh airport, flights disrupted

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh experienced a significant incident on Tuesday that forced the temporary closure of several runways and led to hours of flight disruptions across the kingdom’s busiest hub. Airport officials reported that all inbound and outbound commercial flights were halted for approximately six hours while security teams investigated the source of the disturbance and cleared the affected areas. The shutdown affected more than 150 scheduled departures and arrivals, prompting airlines to rebook passengers and divert some flights to alternative Saudi airports.

The disruption occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, as Saudi Arabia intensifies its military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Recent weeks have seen an increase in cross‑border attacks, including missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi infrastructure. While authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the airport incident and the ongoing conflict, the timing underscores the broader security challenges facing the kingdom’s aviation network amid the escalating war. Normal operations at King Khalid International Airport resumed by late evening, and officials continue to monitor the situation for any further threats.