Saudi Arabia intercepted another wave of Houthi ballistic missiles and drones on Sunday, October 25, as renewed attacks injured two people and damaged residential buildings in the kingdom's southern region. The interceptions came as Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport began partially resuming operations following weeks of deadly attacks, despite continued warnings from Yemen's Houthi movement that the facility remains a target.

The Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting 10 ballistic missiles launched toward southern Saudi Arabia, along with additional missile and drone threats targeting Riyadh and other locations. Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki separately announced the interception of a cruise missile directed toward Khamis Mushait, while air defenses also engaged a ballistic missile and unmanned aircraft approaching the capital. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts for several cities before announcing that the immediate danger had passed.

Saudi Civil Defense confirmed that debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles fell in the Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah governorates, injuring a Saudi citizen and an Asian resident. The falling fragments also damaged three residential buildings and seven vehicles. Emergency personnel responded to the affected areas, although authorities did not immediately provide detailed information about the victims' conditions.

Riyadh Airport Resumes Limited Operations

The renewed attacks coincided with Saudi Arabia's announcement that King Khalid International Airport would partially reopen after operations were suspended following a deadly Houthi-claimed strike on October 10. Airport authorities designated Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international services operated by Saudi carriers. However, flight-tracking data reviewed Sunday showed limited aircraft activity, indicating that the announced reopening had not yet translated into a full restoration of normal flight operations.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree renewed warnings against using the airport, describing the facility as a military target and urging airlines, employees and passengers to stay away. The movement also claimed further operations against locations in Saudi Arabia, although it was not immediately clear whether all of those claims corresponded to the interceptions announced by Saudi authorities. The coalition previously reported that the airport had been targeted 20 times between October 1 and October 11.

The airport disruptions have become one of the most consequential civilian effects of the renewed Saudi–Houthi confrontation. Earlier attacks caused mass casualties and forced airlines to cancel or divert flights, complicating travel through one of the kingdom's principal international aviation hubs. The continued missile threat creates uncertainty for passengers, airport operators and international carriers despite efforts to restore services.

Regional Conflict Raises Security Concerns

The latest escalation follows intensified fighting in Yemen, where the Houthis have expanded missile and drone operations against Saudi territory while Saudi-led forces have carried out additional strikes against the group's military infrastructure. Fighting has also intensified around territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and an important route for international commerce.

Saudi Arabia has sought additional defensive assistance from regional and international partners as the frequency of attacks has increased. Britain announced earlier this week that Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters would conduct defensive patrols over the kingdom, while other partners have discussed additional air-defense support. These measures are intended to strengthen protection against missiles and drones rather than announce a broader offensive campaign against the Houthis.

The confrontation has unfolded alongside heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising concerns that further military action could widen instability across the region. Saudi Arabia's air-defense operations have so far prevented some incoming threats from reaching their intended targets, but falling debris continues to endanger populated areas.

The partial reopening of Riyadh's main airport represents an attempt to restore essential civilian infrastructure while the security situation remains unsettled. With Houthi forces continuing to threaten aviation facilities and Saudi authorities reporting further interceptions, normal airport operations remain uncertain and the risk of additional disruption persists.