Riyadh airport stays closed as Saudis probe failures in deadly attack
Saudi officials investigate how its air defences failed to intercept deadly attacks launched by the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia has shut down Riyadh airport following a deadly attack by Houthis, who allegedly launched missiles towards the capital. The strikes, which occurred on Monday local time, targeted King Khalid International Airport and an air base in Khamis Mushait. The Saudi-led coalition later destroyed the intercepted ballistic missile fired by the Iran-aligned group.
This incident follows an investigation into how Saudi air defenses failed to intercept the barrage of missiles and drones that struck the airport, resulting in 14 deaths and over 300 injuries. The airport remains closed until October 17, causing airlines to cancel flights. The Houthis have been targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week, escalating the conflict that has spilled over from the US-Iran war.
Saudi officials are probing the air defense failure, while the Houthis claim responsibility for the attacks. The US remains hesitant to directly engage the Houthis, with President Trump considering military action and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stating the need to "crush the Iranian regime."
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