{
  "id": 14036840,
  "title": "'Riyadh no longer feels safe': Houthi strikes shatter Saudi capital's aura of calm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/riyadh-no-longer-feels-safe-houthi-strikes-shatter-saudi-capitals-14036840",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T20:20:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/riyadh-no-longer-feels-safe-houthi-strikes-shatter-saudi-capitals-aura"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The once-secure city of Riyadh now feels unsafe, as Houthi strikes have shattered the capital's aura of calm. The Saudi government had long marketed the city as a haven from the turmoil gripping the Middle East. However, deadly Houthi attacks on the country's main airport have left expatriate families wondering if they can continue their lives in the kingdom.\n\nOn Saturday, at least 12 people were killed and over 300 injured when Yemen's Houthis launched a barrage of missiles at King Khalid International Airport. The movement also fired cruise missiles at oil facilities and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia, claiming the attacks were retaliation for Riyadh's support of government forces in Yemen's civil war, as well as a Saudi air strike on Sanaa airport earlier this year.\n\nCCTV footage broadcast by state broadcaster Al Ekhbariya showed terrified pilgrims in white, attempting to flee the airport as dust filled the lounge and ceiling panels plummeted to the ground. The once-calm city now grapples with the harsh reality that safety and stability are no longer guaranteed.",
  "summary": "'Riyadh no longer feels safe': Houthi strikes shatter Saudi capital's aura of calm Riyadh has long presented itself as a safe haven from the turmoil engulfing the Middle East. But deadly Houthi strikes on the Saudi capital's main airport have shattered that sense of security, leaving expatriate families questioning whether they can continue to build their lives in the kingdom. At least 12 people…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "'Riyadh no longer feels safe': Houthi strikes shatter Saudi capital's aura of calm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/riyadh-no-longer-feels-safe-houthi-strikes-shatter-saudi-capitals",
        "published": "2026-10-12T16:26:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Riyadh deputy governor assures Houthi attack victims of full medical support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/riyadh-deputy-governor-assures-houthi-attack-victims-of-full-medical",
        "published": "2026-10-12T16:40:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "How did Houthi missiles slip past Saudi defences? Riyadh probes deadly airport attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/how-did-houthi-missiles-slip-past-saudi-defences-riyadh-probes-deadly",
        "published": "2026-10-12T17:59:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Report: Explosions heard in Saudi capital Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/report-explosions-heard-in-saudi-capital-riyadh",
        "published": "2026-10-12T18:24:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US mission in Riyadh says govt personnel need permission to use all Saudi airports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/us-mission-in-riyadh-says-govt-personnel-need-permission-to-use-all",
        "published": "2026-10-12T21:04:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "UN Human Rights Chief condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi airports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/un-human-rights-chief-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-airports",
        "published": "2026-10-12T21:16:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Semafor",
        "title": "Saudi minister says kingdom is fearless after deadly Houthi strikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/saudi-minister-says-kingdom-is-fearless-after-deadly-houthi-strikes",
        "published": "2026-10-12T22:32:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}