Houthis warn against Saudi airports as 12 die in Riyadh attack

A bombing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killed 12 people and injured more than 300 on Saturday. The attack occurred at the airport, which is a major hub for international travel.

The Yemen-based Houthis issued a warning against using Saudi airports and airspace but did not directly claim responsibility for Saturday's attack. They did, however, take responsibility for a prior attack on October 8 that killed three Saudi nationals at the same location.

Sky News Middle East Correspondent Adam Parsons suggested that the Houthis were likely responsible for Saturday's attack, citing their prior warning against using Saudi airspace and airports. He noted that the group has a history of using cruise missiles in attacks on Saudi infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia, which ranks eighth globally in defense spending and third per capita, is facing questions about its ability to prevent such attacks. Parsons highlighted the sophistication of Houthi weaponry and the challenges faced by Saudi air defense systems.

In response to the attack, Kuwait Airways suspended flights into Riyadh, but other Saudi airports remained operational. Embassies advised citizens to avoid the airports, and some international airlines canceled flights, though alternative travel routes were still available.

Parsons also noted that there was a lack of user-generated content following the attack, suggesting that Saudi citizens may be cautious about sharing information that could be used against the government.