On Sunday, Saudi Arabia opened the terminals of King Khalid International Airport for international flights after a two‑week blackout triggered by Houthi missile and drone strikes.
The kingdom’s armed forces said Maj. Gen. Turki al‑Malki confirmed that early Sunday air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone aimed at Riyadh, while 10 missiles were shot down over the southern region.
The first wave of attacks in early October damaged two terminals, killing 17 people and wounding 330. Since then, the Houthis have kept firing, threatening the capital’s airspace and civilian infrastructure.
A local airline employee, Saeed Al‑Jaber, said his family had lived in the airport’s vicinity for 30 years and feared for their safety when the gates closed. With security tightened, the ministry said it will monitor the situation and keep the airport open while limiting flights to essential routes.