Reports: Houthis escalate missile attacks on Saudi airports amid Yemeni counteroffensive

What happened

The Guardian reports that in the last weekend, the Iran-backed Houthi movement fired missiles that struck Riyadh’s international airport, killing 13 people and injuring hundreds. A subsequent attack the following day killed one person and injured nearly a dozen. CCTV footage captured the moment of impact and showed damage inside one terminal building at the airport located about 22 miles north of Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. These attacks are described as the largest escalation yet in the Houthis’ campaign targeting Saudi airports, oil infrastructure, and shipping, against the backdrop of a Yemeni government counteroffensive supported by Riyadh aimed at recapturing strategic territory around the Bab al-Mandab strait. This maritime chokepoint dominates the Red Sea and is critical for global oil and gas exports. The Houthi seizure of territory there underlines their growing strategic leverage.

Saudi Arabia's investments in military defenses have not prevented these strikes, with analysts noting the challenge for even advanced air defense systems to consistently intercept missiles and drones over such a large area. The Guardian cites an expert pointing out similar difficulties faced by other countries’ missile defense. Houthi attacks have forced widespread disruption in Riyadh, including suspended international flights, remote working directives, and cancellations of key energy events.

Known from the source

• A missile strike by the Houthis hit Riyadh international airport on Saturday, killing 13 people and injuring hundreds.
• A following missile attack on Sunday killed 1 person and injured nearly a dozen others.
• Footage showed airport terminal damage and people seeking cover during attacks.
• The Houthis are an Iran-backed group actively fighting Yemeni government forces supported by Riyadh.
• Houthis recently seized key territory near Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial Red Sea shipping route.

What remains unclear

The attacks send a broader signal about Iranian influence via its Houthi proxy in the Gulf, as part of Tehran’s 'axis of resistance,' complicating US and allied efforts to constrain Iran’s regional power and putting global energy supplies at risk. The report notes that despite prior US bombardments in 2025, fully degrading Houthi military capabilities remains hard due to ongoing Iranian support.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of casualty and injury figures from the missile strikes. Official Saudi or coalition confirmation of responsibility for the attacks. Details on the missile and drone types used and exact attack routes or methods.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The Guardian Yemen. Open the source.