Explosions rock Riyadh as Saudi Arabia plans airport reopening

Dhaka: Explosions were heard across Riyadh early October 25 as Saudi Arabia prepared to resume operations at its international airport following a two-week closure linked to repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces.

King Khalid International Airport announced that flights would restart on October 25, and flight-tracking data showed an aircraft departing early in the day. However, security concerns remained after residents received alerts warning of a potential aerial threat.

Reports mentioned hearing three explosions in the Saudi capital. The Saudi-led military coalition said its air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and destroyed two drones in the surrounding area.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines, airport employees and travelers against using the facility, describing it as unsafe and a potential military target.

The airport had been closed for two weeks following attacks attributed to the Houthis. An earlier strike this month reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.

Saudi civil defense officials also reported responding to debris in the Mecca and Medina regions after missile interceptions on October 24. The Houthis denied targeting the two cities.

The renewed violence has heightened security risks across the region, disrupting aviation and businesses while adding pressure to energy markets. The latest developments leave uncertainty over whether airport operations can resume safely and remain uninterrupted.