Riyadh Airport Closure Extended as Missile Threats Continue

Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as authorities continued safety inspections, while the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a missile targeting Khamis Mushait and was tracking further aerial threats. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the extended closure on Monday, October 12, without setting a date for flights to resume. The airport had been closed after attacks on Riyadh, and the authority said inspections of its facilities were needed before operations could restart. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said Saudi air defenses intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Khamis Mushait, in the kingdom’s southwest. He also said forces were tracking additional drone and missile threats. Saudi authorities issued an alert for a possible attack on Abha, then said the danger had passed. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Riyadh airport and other Saudi targets. The group also said it struck King Fahd International Airport and two facilities belonging to Aramco.