Saudi airports face Houthi attacks causing deaths and flight diversions

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam has been attacked, causing damage, airspace risks, and flight diversions, according to eTurboNews, cedarnews.net, and CTV News. Simple Flying reported that Dammam was hit in the latest Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, which have caused growing disruptions to air travel. [1][2][6][8]

The strikes on Dammam follow an attack on Riyadh King Khalid International Airport on October 10, 2026. One Mile at a Time, Simple Flying, and Paddley Too reported that Houthi forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Riyadh's main Terminal 3 building, killing at least 12 people. Simple Flying noted that the death toll at the Riyadh airport later rose to 13, while One Mile at a Time and Paddley Too reported that over 300 people were injured. [4][5][6][7]

The October 10 incident was the second strike on the Riyadh facility in two days, according to One Mile at a Time. An earlier attack on October 8, 2026, destroyed a Saudia Airbus A320 aircraft on the tarmac. [4]

Between October 6 and October 11, 2026, Houthi forces in Yemen launched multiple ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. These incidents resulted in the temporary suspension of operations at the Riyadh airport. [9]

The actions mark the deadliest strikes in Saudi Arabia since May 2015, according to One Mile at a Time and Wikipedia. FTN news reported that the initial attack led to closures at the Riyadh airport, as air carriers face ongoing security risks across the region. [3][4][5][9]