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Event / Politics
Saudi Arabia-Houthi Conflict
Escalating military conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces, including coordinated attacks on airports and energy infrastructure, with regional ceasefire violations and international responses.
8 reported locations
Daily activity
57 articles0 articles
2026-07-29 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Apr, 00:07 UTC
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What happened
United Arab Emirates expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia
Despite diplomatic disagreements with Saudi Arabia particularly regarding Yemen, the United Arab Emirates expressed solidarity with the kingdom and support for all measures to preserve its security.
Attack on Riyadh airport kills 13 people, injures 309, deadliest in decade
A Saturday attack on Riyadh international airport killed 13 people and injured 309, making it the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in a decade. Casualties included four Saudis, two Bangladeshi nationals, one American, one Egyptian, one Argentine, one Syrian, one Palestinian, one Sudanese, one Indian national, and one French national among the wounded. The attack occurred during the high season for Umrah pilgrimage when millions of Muslims travel to the kingdom.
Saudi coalition condemns Riyadh airport attack as war crime
The Saudi-led coalition characterized the Saturday attack on Riyadh airport as a war crime and promised to respond with firmness. The attack was the deadliest incident in Saudi Arabia since August 2015 when an ISIS suicide bombing killed 15 people.
Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi drone and ballistic missile
The Saudi-led coalition defending against Houthi attacks announced it shot down a drone in eastern Saudi Arabia and intercepted a ballistic missile directed at Khamis Mushait, a city in southern Saudi Arabia that hosts a major military base.
Houthis warning against travel to Saudi airports except Mecca and Medina
Houthi rebels renewed warnings to travelers, employees, and airlines on Sunday, stating that Saudi Arabian airports were unsafe except for those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This warning came as October marks the beginning of high season for Umrah pilgrimage.
Houthis maintain control of Mayyoun island in Bab el-Mandeb strait
A Houthi official confirmed that the movement continues to hold Mayyoun island at the center of the Bab el-Mandeb maritime passage, maintaining their strategic position in the waterway.
Yemeni government forces advance around Bab el-Mandeb but fail to secure strait
Military sources from the Yemeni government camp reported Saturday that Yemeni forces had made progress around the Bab el-Mandeb strait following the Houthi September offensive, but were unable to fully secure control of the strategic passage.
Houthis claim 124 Saudi airstrikes against Yemen since Saturday
The Houthis reported being subject to 124 Saudi-led coalition airstrikes since Saturday against various sites across Yemen, including the capital Sanaa under their control. They characterized these as brutal Saudi aggression in response to their offensive operations.
Second attack on Riyadh airport kills one, injures 11 on Sunday
A second attack on Riyadh international airport on Sunday, October 11, killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The attack caused material damage still being evaluated. The airport closure was extended by 24 hours until 21:00 GMT Monday.
Houthi rebels conduct four major operations against Saudi Arabia targets in 24 hours
Pro-Iranian Houthi rebels claimed to have conducted four major operations within 24 hours starting Friday evening, using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The operations targeted Riyadh international airport in three phases, two Aramco energy facilities (Shugadam gas installation and Tanajib refinery) in eastern Saudi Arabia, and Dammam international airport. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that strikes directly hit targets and caused disruption to airport operations.
Houthis launch September offensive capturing Bab el-Mandeb strait
Houthi rebels launched a swift offensive in September that took control of the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb strait on the Red Sea, triggering a counter-offensive by government forces. This development has increased the strategic importance of the strait as Tehran restricts navigation through the Strait of Hormuz on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula.
Iran's foreign minister emphasizes political solution over military approach
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by telephone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday. Araghchi emphasized that adhering solely to military approaches while ignoring political solutions would only further complicate the current situation, according to Iranian news agency IRNA.
U.S. Secretary of State condemns attack and confirms American death
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the airport attack in a social media post, stating 'These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now.' Rubio acknowledged that an American citizen was among those killed in the attack.
Saudi Arabia seeks diplomatic de-escalation through Oman
On October 10, 2026, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister and Omani counterpart spoke by phone regarding the importance of 'supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions' in the region. Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has historically played a mediator role in regional conflicts.
UN Secretary-General condemns attack on civilian infrastructure
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement condemning the airport attack, stating 'Attacks on civilians & civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately.'
Saudi Arabia running low on missile interceptors amid Houthi campaign
Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has requested France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the region. Regional officials told the Associated Press that the U.S. has also seen its own interceptor stock diminish during the broader Iran war.
Houthis gain territorial control in Yemen Red Sea region
Fighting between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with Houthis making gains along the Red Sea. These territorial gains provide the rebels with improved surveillance capabilities over shipping corridors that serve as a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi-led coalition has been providing air support to Yemeni government forces attempting to reverse these Houthi advances.
U.S. military strikes commercial cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman
U.S. Central Command reported that a fighter jet struck and disabled the Panama-flagged commercial cargo vessel M/V Ocean Molica with a precision munition in the Gulf of Oman on October 10, 2026. The ship had departed an Iranian port and did not heed repeated warnings. The action was part of U.S. efforts to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The ship's crew was unharmed.
EU expands aviation safety guidance for Saudi airspace
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, noting the Houthis' demonstrated ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and their 'greater focus on aviation infrastructure.' The agency noted that missile and drone attacks and interception efforts 'create an increased risk of misidentification of civil aircraft.'
King Khalid International Airport suspends operations following missile strike
Following the October 10, 2026 attack, Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport. The closure was initially through midnight and later extended by 24 hours until 9 p.m. on October 11. All airport entrances were blocked, lights around the complex were dimmed, and flights were diverted to other locations. Multiple countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada warned their citizens to avoid the airport.
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