'Except Mecca and Medina': Chaos across Saudi airports as Houthis claim Riyadh strikes

Chaos erupted across Saudi airports on Monday following repeated attacks, particularly on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, as the Yemeni Houthi group claimed responsibility. Several airlines suspended operations, and over a third of all planned flights were canceled, with around 60% of flights from Riyadh set to be canceled. Jeddah faced widespread cancellations and delays, with 156 flights out of 374 affected.

The attacks resulted in significant casualties, with King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killing 12 people and injuring 309. The death toll later increased to 13 after an Indian national succumbed to injuries. A separate attack on Sunday claimed the life of a Pakistani resident and injured 11 others.

Airlines like Lufthansa and Air France-KLM suspended services to Riyadh until October 16 and the end of October, respectively. The US Federal Aviation Administration cautioned American airlines to exercise caution in and over Saudi Arabia. The Houthi group issued a stern warning to aviation and navigation companies, workers, and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace, except those serving Mecca and Medina.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi group condemned the attacks as a "full-fledged war crime." International reactions were widespread, with nations such as Iraq, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, France, Britain, the EU, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing condemnation. This incident marks one of the deadliest escalations in the ongoing "tit-for-tat" strikes between the two neighboring Gulf states.