Diplomats stationed in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, took shelter in their respective embassies on Thursday, October 8, 2026, following explosions heard across the city. The explosions came hours after Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed their latest attack on Saudi Arabia, including the capital's international airport. The Iran-backed militia said they targeted Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile, claiming it hit its target.
The Houthis also called on staff at oil facilities in Saudi Arabia to leave their jobs to avoid endangering their lives. This comes as the rebel militia have launched a wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia since they began a major offensive in Yemen against the internationally-recognized, Saudi-backed government. Saudi Arabia and Yemeni government forces have struggled to contain the Houthis' advance, despite a counter-offensive aimed at recapturing territory.
International schools in Riyadh took precautions, with at least one facility sending children into a basement for safety. Several residents reported that diplomats were instructed to shelter in place in their respective embassies. There was no official statement addressing the morning's incident, but a campaign by the interior ministry has repeatedly warned residents against sharing unauthorized information or footage of missiles and their impacts.
The measures came after repeated blasts were heard in the city, one of the loudest disturbances since the start of the Middle East war. Numerous flights at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport were delayed or cancelled. Two people working in Riyadh's business hub, the King Abdullah Financial District, reported that some companies were evacuating staff from the area.
The Yemen war has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 200,000 people displaced since July, according to UN data. The fighting has become the most active front of the wider regional conflict, with violence repeatedly shifting focus across the Middle East. In Yemen, one of the world's poorest countries, ordinary civilians are paying the price.
The Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia have resulted in casualties, including an Egyptian and an Algerian national killed at Abha airport, and a Sudanese national killed at Riyadh airport. The attacks wounded 36 people, according to Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis blamed them for the strikes and vowed that they would not go unpunished.
The renewed fighting has seen clashes leave at least 62 combatants dead, including 37 Houthis, and a Houthi missile wounded five civilians in Taiz, a city held by government forces. The humanitarian crisis caused by the war has left most of the nation's population dependent on aid. The situation remains volatile, with claims by the warring parties difficult to independently verify.
Key points
- The Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia have resulted in casualties and significant disruptions.
- The Yemen war has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 200,000 people displaced.
- The situation remains volatile, with claims by the warring parties difficult to independently verify.
