Despite fresh Houthi attacks, Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport resumes flights

Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia resumed flights on Sunday after a series of deadly attacks that forced its closure for two weeks. The King Khalid International Airport's website listed several domestic and international flights on Sunday, including arrivals from Dubai, Paris and Cairo. The resumption of operations came as explosions rattled Riyadh early Sunday, following a text message warning of a hostile threat targeting the city.

The airport closure severely impacted Saudi Arabia, leading to the postponement of the kingdom's flagship investment conference until 2027 and cancellation or relocation of events like the prestigious Dakar Rally. While Saudi officials did not disclose details about the renewed operations, Flightradar24 showed a small number of flights had departed, though the majority were cancelled.

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted the airport, most recently killing 13 people and injuring over 300 in a single attack. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the airport remained "unsafe" and a "military target." He warned international, regional and local airlines against using King Khalid Airport, stating it served as a military target for Yemeni forces.

On Sunday, Houthi spokesman Saree claimed that Saudi Arabia had launched 56 airstrikes and missile attacks on civilian objects in various Yemeni governorates, including Riyadh, in the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Riyadh and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who responded favorably to the kingdom's request to keep the Patriot air defense system in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting at least 10 ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh and two drones in the area. The fighting escalated following the breakdown of a years-long truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.