The Houthis of Yemen warned travelers on Sunday not to use Saudi airports. This warning was issued a day after a deadly missile attack on Riyadh airport, which resulted in at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries.
Details of the Missile Attack
The attack on Riyadh airport is the deadliest attack on any Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war. Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, stated: "The armed forces of Yemen reiterate their warning to all airlines, experts, staff, workers, and travelers to refrain from using Saudi airports and airspace."
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He added: "Airports and airspace are subject to targeting and are considered operational scenes for our forces." However, he emphasized that the airports in Mecca and Medina, the two holy cities of Islam, will not be targeted.
Consequences and Reactions
The Houthi spokesman stressed that the group's warning should be taken seriously and that Saudi Arabia bears "responsibility" for not destroying the missiles that hit the airport on Saturday. Operations at Riyadh airport were halted following this attack, and air traffic monitoring by Flightradar24 announced that the airport closure would continue until 9 PM on Sunday.
Although the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for this attack, Saudi officials have identified the group as the perpetrator of the attack on the airport in the Saudi capital. The Saudi-led coalition, which supports the Yemeni government against the Houthis, has promised a strong response to the attack, labeling it a "full-scale war crime."
This missile attack on Riyadh comes amid an increase in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia this week, targeting other airports, military sites, and oil infrastructure. This surge in attacks has followed a major military operation by the Saudi coalition against the Houthis.
The Houthis, considered a regional representative of Tehran, have been at war with the internationally recognized Yemeni government for over a decade. While a ceasefire in 2022 halted the fighting, it failed to bring about a lasting peace agreement. The war between the United States and Israel with Iran has reignited in Yemen, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country.
In response to this attack, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing the attack as "unacceptable." Additionally, European leaders expressed their shock at the attack on Riyadh airport on Sunday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European Union stands in "solidarity with Saudi Arabia" and condemned this "formation of dangerous tensions." She continued: "These attacks by Iranian representatives are dragging the region into a vicious cycle of violence and destabilizing global transportation and energy nodes." German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul also condemned the attack as a "terrorist act against Saudi Arabia and civilian aviation," stating: "Our thoughts are with the victims, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families."
