As Saudi Arabia tries to restart its main hub, fresh trouble has emerged. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi fighters issued a new warning against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday. He asked commercial airlines and everyday travelers to stay away from the runways, just as officials were scheduling limited flights to reopen.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari said on record that the airport remains a direct military target. They made it clear that their attacks on the site would continue.
Reopening plans face immediate backlash
This latest warning came just hours after airport officials shared the restart schedule. They were preparing to reopen two major terminals after shutting everything down earlier this month.
Under the restart plan, Terminal 1 was earmarked to handle domestic travel. Terminal 2 was assigned to handle international routes operated by Saudi National Airlines, starting this Sunday. But the security picture changed almost immediately with the Houthi statement.
Deadliest attack in more than a decade
The airport had to ground all flights on 10 October following a devastating Houthi attack in the area. That attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, making it the deadliest single attack on Saudi soil in more than ten years. Due to the extensive damage and exposure, officials extended the shutdown by two days to inspect and secure the grounds.
In recent months, the Houthis have stepped up direct attacks against Saudi infrastructure, using explosive drones and long-range ballistic missiles. As the regional fighting has escalated, they have repeatedly targeted commercial airports, shipping ports and vital oil facilities.
All this puts Saudi Arabia under immense pressure. The state is both a primary US partner in the region and the backbone of global crude oil shipments, meaning any hit to its logistics sends ripples across international energy markets.
The fighting on the ground is heating up
Additionally, the Saudi military has deployed more force into Yemen. They have launched new air strikes on known Houthi strongholds, supporting local government troops in counter-attacks.
The renewed clashes come after Houthi fighters seized key positions on Yemen's Red Sea coast last month, sparking another round of brutal clashes between Saudi-backed forces and the Iran-aligned faction.
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Key Takeaways for Crude Oil and Energy Traders
- Geopolitical Risk Premium:Ongoing missile and drone threats against Riyadh have kept energy markets worried about potential supply shocks at Saudi export terminals.
- Aviation and tourism disruptions:Travel corridors through Saudi Arabia face increased insurance rates and sudden route changes, which could impact Middle East regional carrier revenues.
- Red Sea Shipping Exposure:The Houthi occupation of the Red Sea coast ensures constant shipping delays and high freight costs around the world.