Fighting intensifies in Yemen as Houthis fire on Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Houthi rebels escalated their assaults on Saudi Arabia on Monday, following deadly missile strikes on the kingdom's international airport that claimed lives and injured numerous others. The Saudi government suspended airport operations in Riyadh until midnight on October 17, as well as in Dammam's King Fahd International Airport.

The attacks came as Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, clashed with Houthi rebels near the city of Taiz, repelling further advances amid concerns about a growing rebel siege. At least 20 fatalities have been reported since the beginning of the week at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the Abha international airport in Saudi Arabia's Asir province.

The Saudi state television captured a missile striking the passenger terminal in Riyadh, with footage showing passengers scrambling for safety. An Indian national, who was traveling with his family to perform Umrah, tragically lost his life in Saturday's attack, with the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirming his death and arranging for his remains to be repatriated.

Multiple airlines, including Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Emirates, and Air Arabia, have canceled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh due to the escalating tensions. The Saudi-led coalition vowed to respond to drone and cruise missile threats against the kingdom on Monday, as diplomatic efforts continued, including a phone call between Saudi Arabia's and Iran's foreign ministers.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Tehran to provide assistance in facilitating talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis to reach a political resolution, warning that focusing on military solutions would worsen the situation. Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, called for enhanced Gulf security and collective defense, stressing that attacks on Saudi Arabia endanger the safety of other Gulf states.

US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper announced the deployment of the "largest air-defence umbrella in the world" to deter Iranian attacks, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to safeguard the region.