Explosions heard in Saudi capital as airport due to reopen

Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia's capital on Sunday, amid the nation's plans to resume operations at Riyadh International Airport. Despite repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Saudi Arabia is set to reopen the airport following a two-week closure. The kingdom, which leads a military coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis, has faced numerous strikes from the group recently.

Tensions escalated following the breakdown of a years-long truce between the Houthis and the Riyadh-backed government. Riyadh's international airport announced that flights would resume on Sunday after the closure due to Houthi strikes. The facility has been targeted multiple times, with an attack in the month resulting in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, marking the deadliest in the kingdom in over a decade.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the airport remained "unsafe" and a "military target," warning airlines, staff, and travelers against using King Khalid Airport. The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a ballistic missile and two drones launched by the group towards Riyadh. The Saudi civil defence agency responded to falling debris in Mecca and Medina regions following two intercepted Houthi missiles.

The Houthis, however, denied targeting the cities, calling the Saudi claim a "huge lie." The flare-up in Yemen, with the Houthis controlling the entire Red Sea coast, has destabilized the region and impacted oil markets. The attacks have hurt Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude exporter, disrupting businesses, airlines, and residents.