RIYADH/SANAA – Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on Sunday, prompting air defence systems to intercept multiple projectiles as Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport partially resumed operations after a two-week closure.
The Saudi-led military coalition said its forces intercepted and destroyed 10 ballistic missiles launched towards the kingdom’s southern region. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the missiles were shot down but provided no details about casualties or damage.
Earlier, the coalition reported intercepting a cruise missile targeting the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, along with a ballistic missile and two drones launched towards Riyadh.
Air raid alerts were activated across several parts of southern Saudi Arabia, including Abha, Jazan and areas around Taif and Namas.
“The bombardment has been very heavy since this morning — may God keep us safe. Everything is shaking because of the explosions,” a resident of Khamis Mushait told AFP on Sunday on condition of anonymity.
Three explosions were heard in Riyadh early Sunday, prompting residents to receive alerts warning of a possible aerial attack and urging them to move to safe locations.
The developments came as King Khalid International Airport announced the resumption of selected flight operations from Sunday following a two-week closure caused by Houthi attacks. Under the revised arrangements, Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights, while Terminal 2 would serve international flights operated by Saudi national carriers.
Passengers with confirmed bookings were advised to contact their airlines to verify flight schedules and reservation status before travelling to the airport. However, the extent of the airport’s operational capacity remained unclear.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines, airport staff and passengers against using the facility, describing it as unsafe and a military target.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces warn all international, regional and local airlines — as well as staff and travellers — against using King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, as it is unsafe and serves as a military target for our forces,” Saree said.
He warned that Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any consequences arising from operations at the airport.
The 2027 Dakar Rally will be moved from Saudi Arabia “following recent developments in the region”, organisers said, after repeated attacks on the kingdom by Yemen’s Houthis.
“Dakar 2027 will go ahead. The 2027 edition will take place in a different territory and will be organised by ASO,” which runs the Dakar along with Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), a statement said. A new location will be announced in the coming days.
Meanwhile, two people were injured by falling shrapnel after the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by Houthis in Saudi’s Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah, according to the Saudi Civil Defence.
The Saudi Civil Defence agency has lifted potential danger alerts issued for the regions of Taif and Jazan via mobile phones at 12:53pm (09:53 GMT or 2:53pm PKT), Al Jazeera reported.
“The danger has passed. … For your safety please continue to follow the instructions at civil defence and avoid gatherings and photography at all costs,” it said in a statement.
In a related development, Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to the violence in Yemen as he addressed the faithful from the window over St Peter’s Square, Al Jazeera reported.
He said he was particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in the southwestern Yemeni city of Taiz, “where the population suffers due to the lack of food, water and medical assistance”.
“I’m making a heartfelt appeal for the hostilities to stop so that the people in Yemen and across the entire region can live in peace,” he said.
Houthi forces are advancing on Jabal Sabr, the strategic mountain overlooking Taiz, Al Jazeera’s correspondent on the ground reports.
Houthi fighters have besieged the city and cut off the main road to Aden, which serves as the interim capital of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
The UN has warned that “time is running out” to deliver aid to the 800,000 people trapped inside the city.
Most Gulf bourses fell in early trade on Sunday, with investors unsettled by intensifying clashes between Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, a news wire reported.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index has declined 1.1 per cent, weighed down by a 1.2pc fall for oil behemoth Saudi Aramco .
In Qatar, the index has eased 0.3pc, with Qatar National Bank — the Gulf’s biggest lender — losing 1.1pc.The Houthis claimed on Saturday that they had carried out seven military operations using ballistic missiles and drones against Saudi airports, oil installations, a pipeline and an air base in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Yemen.
According to the group, the targets included King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran airport and the Khamis Mushait air base. The Houthis also claimed to have targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery, as well as pumping stations and the East-West oil pipeline.
The group alleged that Saudi Arabia had conducted around 100 airstrikes over the preceding 24 hours against civilian sites in Sanaa and other areas under Houthi control, killing and injuring dozens. It further claimed that Saudi forces had carried out 3,123 airstrikes and missile attacks since the latest escalation began. These figures could not be independently verified.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence agency said two Houthi ballistic missiles targeting the Makkah and Madina regions had been intercepted on Saturday, with debris falling at four locations, including areas in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
Saudi media reported that fragments of one missile fell in Wadi al-Mughammas, near the plain of Arafat, around 23 kilometres from the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The Houthis denied targeting the two holy cities, calling the Saudi claim a “huge lie”. Saree said the group’s operations were directed at oil installations and military bases.
The latest escalation has intensified concerns over regional security, disrupted air travel and threatened energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s army said on Saturday that its forces had neutralised 307 Houthi fighters and commanders during 736 operations over the preceding 24 hours under an offensive it called “Dawn of Yemen”.
The army said the operations targeted Houthi command centres, troop concentrations, reinforcements, weapons depots and supply routes, destroying or damaging 68 military vehicles and weapons. It did not clarify how many fighters had been killed or wounded, and the Houthis had not immediately commented on the claims.
In the southwestern province of Taiz, government forces said they had struck a command centre, heavy-weapons positions and arms depots inside an abandoned hotel allegedly being used by the Houthis as an observation post and firing position.
The army accused the rebels of using the site to threaten residential neighbourhoods and maintain their siege of Taiz. Government troops also conducted raids to suppress fire from the area, it said.
The renewed fighting follows the collapse of a years-long truce between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The escalation has further destabilised the region, disrupted businesses and aviation, and heightened concerns about the security of oil supplies and regional trade.
