Houthis issue warning over Saudi air travel after deadly Riyadh airport strike
Yemen's Houthi movement warned airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi airports except Mecca and Medina after an attack on Riyadh's airport. The group said other Saudi airspace and airports were legitimate targets, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether Washington would join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. The warning came amid escalating missile exchanges and Houthi territorial gains near the Red Sea.
The Houthi military spokesperson said airports and airspace across Saudi Arabia, except Mecca and Medina, remain possible targets. He also said Riyadh would be responsible if intercepts fail. The message followed repeated strikes on Riyadh's main airport and came as Saudi Arabia intensified operations in Yemen.
The health ministry run by the Houthis reported 91 deaths and 168 injuries in Yemen over five weeks from attacks led by Saudi Arabia, with most fatalities described as women and children. Since September, Houthi forces have gained territory, including islands in the Bab al-Mandab strait and Red Sea positions.
Airlines and travelers may reroute or suspend services to Saudi airports outside Mecca and Medina, potentially disrupting business, family, and other travel. Residents near targeted areas could face heightened fear and emergency disruptions. If Washington joins Saudi operations, the conflict may widen, increasing risks for civilians and shipping in the Red Sea, though actual effects depend on whether threats are carried out and how interceptors perform.