NewNWS newsroom live
◌Local weatherLocating…--°
Monday 12 October 202600:00:00AEDT · Sydney
NNewNWSThe Global DeskThe world, in sharper focus.
Live wire
Defence · Global desk · Full report

Riyadh airport hit again day after deadly Houthi strike

Riyadh airport remains closed after deadly Houthi strikes

12 Oct 2026 · 3 min read · Updated recently
AI-generated editorial illustration · Not a documentary photograph

Riyadh airport remains closed after deadly Houthi strikes

The full report

Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia will remain closed until at least October 17 following two attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels over the weekend, according to a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued on Monday. The airport has been shut since Saturday after the attacks killed 14 people and injured hundreds, with Saudi aviation authorities extending the suspension of operations to allow safety inspections.

The attacks have disrupted flights and raised fears of a wider regional conflict, with the US considering military action against the Houthis. US President Donald Trump weighs US military action against the Houthis, according to DW News.

Iran has expressed deep concern over the escalating fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthi rebels, offering to help facilitate dialogue. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters on Monday that Tehran was ready to help facilitate dialogue between the parties.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Abdulaziz bin Salman, told the 25th WPC Energy Conference in Riyadh that “fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon”, emphasizing that the resilience of the kingdom’s energy system and the determination of its people to confront crises. The conference was held despite the airport closure, with the country pressing ahead with the event to project an image of normality.

Reporting status

This original NewNWS report was drafted from the cited source material and passed a second evidence check. Claims that remain the account of one publisher are attributed in the source disclosure below.


Sources compared

This automated report was published after independent coverage matched. Read the source reports and compare their framing:

Read the NewNWS editorial standard ↗