On Monday, October 6, Yemen's Houthi rebels said they fired ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at targets across Saudi Arabia — including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in Rabigh. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the strikes hit their targets, disrupting air traffic and starting a fire at the refinery. Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks but has not confirmed the specific claims. AFP reported explosions heard over Riyadh late Monday, and the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia told American citizens to stay vigilant.
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh. (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
What the Houthis Claimed on Monday
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesman, announced the operations in a statement posted on Telegram and X on Monday evening. He called them three "qualitative military operations" carried out with "a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones."
Saree said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi military action in Yemen. He claimed Saudi forces had carried out 60 air and missile strikes across Yemen in the previous 24 hours — hitting Sanaa and the governorates of Al-Jawf, Taiz, Hajjah, Saada and Marib, with civilian casualties — and put the total since the escalation began at 1,576.
The Three Operations Saree Described
Here is what the Houthi statement claimed, target by target:
| Claimed target | What the Houthis claim | Saudi response so far | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh | "Precise and direct" strike; air traffic disrupted | No immediate comment on the specific claim | Claim only |
| Aramco refinery, Rabigh (Mecca region) | "Precise and direct" strike; fire broke out at the site | No immediate comment on the specific claim | Claim only |
| Abha Airport, Khamis Mushait Air Base, Aqifa camp (Asir), plus sites in Najran and Jizan | Military positions hit | No immediate comment on the specific claim | Claim only |
Saree also warned international airlines using Saudi airspace to stop their flights, saying it had become the group's "area of operations" — with one exception: the airspace over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Riyadh airport. AFP reported explosions heard over the Saudi capital late Monday. (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
Saudi Arabia's Response
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation of what it called the Houthis' continued attacks on civilians and on civilian and economic facilities in the kingdom. The ministry listed targeted areas including Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran, Taif and Yanbu, as well as Saudi vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Riyadh said it had made sustained efforts toward a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and accused the Houthis of rejecting peace and continuing military escalation. It has not, as of Monday night, confirmed whether any of the newly claimed strikes hit their targets.
Separately, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia urged American citizens to remain "vigilant" because of the risk of drone and missile attacks, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself, noting the two countries have a defense agreement.
Why This Matters Now: The Yemen Offensive
The claims landed in the middle of a major escalation. On Monday, the Saudi-led coalition joined Yemen's internationally recognized government's "Dawn of Yemen" offensive — 100 fighter jets providing air cover as government forces push to retake Houthi-held territory, including a naval operation in Hodeidah against weapons depots and explosive-laden boats. Government forces said they retook the towns of Dhubab, Bab and Hadeid near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. (Read our coverage: Yemen launches counteroffensive; Pakistan and Turkey to rapidly deploy troops to Saudi Arabia.)
Riyadh's skyline. (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
Don't Confuse This With Saturday's Claim
Two days earlier, on Saturday, the Houthis made a separate claim — a ballistic missile and drone attack on an Aramco facility near Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition explicitly rejected that one: spokesman Turki al-Maliki called it "misleading" and said the Houthis were trying to project an "illusory victory" to distract from their losses in Taiz. Monday's airport-and-refinery claims are new, and Riyadh has not issued the same kind of direct denial yet.
What Happens Next
Watch for three things: whether Saudi Arabia confirms or denies damage at the airport or refinery; whether Riyadh's airport keeps normal operations; and whether the coalition answers with heavier strikes inside Yemen. The rule of thumb for claims like these is simple — until Riyadh or an independent source confirms impact, this story stays in the "claimed" column.
Key Takeaways
- The Houthis claimed three missile/drone operations on October 6 targeting Riyadh's airport, an Aramco refinery in Rabigh, and southern military sites.
- Spokesman Yahya Saree said the strikes were retaliation for 60 Saudi airstrikes in the previous 24 hours.
- Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks but has not confirmed the strikes hit their targets.
- AFP reported explosions heard over Riyadh late Monday; the US Embassy urged Americans to stay vigilant.
- The claims come amid the Saudi-backed "Dawn of Yemen" offensive, with government forces advancing near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
- A separate Houthi claim on Saturday was rejected by the coalition as "misleading" — don't mix the two incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Houthis actually hit Riyadh airport?
Not confirmed. The Houthis claim their strike on King Khalid International Airport was "precise and direct" and disrupted air traffic, but Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the airport was hit. AFP reported explosions heard over Riyadh late Monday, which is not the same as confirming damage at the airport itself.
What did Saudi Arabia say about the attacks?
The Foreign Ministry condemned continued Houthi attacks on civilians and on civilian and economic facilities, listing cities from Makkah to Yanbu. It accused the Houthis of rejecting peace efforts. It has not confirmed or denied the specific Monday claims about the airport and refinery.
Why did the Houthis attack Saudi Arabia?
According to their spokesman Yahya Saree, the strikes were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Yemen. He claimed 60 Saudi air and missile strikes hit Sanaa, Al-Jawf, Taiz, Hajjah, Saada and Marib in the previous 24 hours, and said 1,576 strikes have hit Yemen since the escalation began.
What is happening in Yemen right now?
The Saudi-led coalition joined Yemen's government forces in a major "Dawn of Yemen" offensive on Monday, with 100 jets providing air cover and a naval operation in Hodeidah. Government forces say they recaptured towns near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping lane between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Is it safe to fly to Saudi Arabia?
The Houthis warned international airlines to avoid Saudi airspace (except over Mecca and Medina), and the US Embassy urged American citizens in the kingdom to stay vigilant over drone and missile risks. Check with your airline for the latest flight status before traveling.
Did Pakistan and Turkey get involved?
Pakistan and Turkey have pledged military backing to Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Alliance arrangement — read our earlier report on the rapid troop deployment. The US has also reaffirmed its defense commitments to Riyadh.
Sources
- Reuters via NDTV — Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expel Houthis from several areas around key strait (Oct 6, 2026): https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/saudi-backed-yemeni-forces-expel-houthis-from-several-areas-around-key-strait-12144143
- AFP via Indian Express — World News Today live updates, Houthis claim strikes on Riyadh airport and Aramco refinery (Oct 6, 2026): https://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news-today-live-updates-yemen-houthis-saudi-arabia-riyadh-airport-israel-benjamin-netanyahu-flydubai-us-iran-war-hormuz-donald-trump-10908340/
- Reuters via The Korea Times — Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expel Houthi rebels (Oct 6, 2026): https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261006/saudi-backed-yemeni-forces-expel-houthi-rebels-from-several-areas-around-key-strait-officials-say
- Anadolu via MCI Group — Houthis claim attacks on Saudi airports, state oil refinery, military sites (Oct 6, 2026): https://mcigroup.my/world-news/houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi-airports-state-oil-refinery-military-sites/
- ET Now — Houthis claim missile, drone strikes on Saudi Arabia; Riyadh condemns attacks (Oct 6, 2026): https://www.etnownews.com/news/houthis-claim-missile-drone-strikes-on-saudi-arabias-airports-oil-facility-military-sites-article-156280952
- Mid-Day — Houthi strikes target Riyadh airport, Aramco refinery; Saudi Arabia condemns attacks (Oct 6, 2026): https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/houthi-strikes-target-riyadh-airport-aramco-refinery-saudi-arabia-condemns-attacks-23653579
- ABP Live — Houthi attacks target Riyadh airport, Aramco refinery as Saudi-led strikes intensify (Oct 6, 2026): https://news.abplive.com/news/world/houthi-saudi-arabia-conflict-riyadh-airport-aramco-refinery-targeted-as-saudi-led-strikes-intensify-1869925
- Al Jazeera — Saudi-led coalition dismisses 'misleading' Houthi claim of Riyadh attack (Oct 4, 2026 — the earlier, rejected claim): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/4/houthi-claims-of-targeting-riyadh-are-misleading-saudi-led
By GlobalDeskNews Staff