Houthis Strike Riyadh Airport a Second Time as Saudi Jets Hit Sanaa

Houthi forces launched a second attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, striking the same terminal hit earlier in the day and causing additional casualties, the Times of Israel reported. Hours into the developing exchange, Houthi-aligned media separately claimed Saudi warplanes struck Sanaa International Airport in Yemen, though Riyadh had not issued a public statement confirming any such operation as of Sunday evening.

What We Know

A fresh Houthi attack struck the same King Khalid International Airport terminal targeted in the first strike, which killed 12 people and wounded 309, according to the Times of Israel. The second attack caused further injuries; precise casualty figures had not been confirmed at the time of publication.

Middle East Eye reported that Houthi-affiliated media described an attack on Sanaa International Airport carried out by Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The claim aligns with the Times of Israel’s note that “Houthis say Riyadh launched strikes in Sanaa,” though the attribution remains to Houthi sources and has not been independently verified.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Riyadh airport attacks as “horrific,” per the Times of Israel. The European Union, citing “Iran’s proxies,” called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians in the wake of the strikes.

What We Don’t Know

Saudi Arabia has not publicly confirmed conducting airstrikes on Sanaa as of publication. The exact number of casualties in the second Riyadh terminal attack remains unverified. It is unclear whether the second Riyadh strike was a separate launch or a delayed projectile from the first wave. This story is developing.

Context

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have escalated attacks on Saudi infrastructure throughout 2026 as Tehran’s regional proxy network has remained active despite diplomatic pressure. The Iran security chief’s recent accusations against Trump over Hormuz oil smuggling signal that the broader Iran-U.S. tension is directly feeding Houthi operational tempo. A double-strike pattern on a major civilian airport represents a significant escalation from single-salvo attacks, raising pressure on Riyadh to respond publicly and forcefully. The broader energy and geopolitical picture, including Trump’s diesel deal with Russia and its Iran implications, adds strategic weight to any Saudi escalation decision.

What to Watch

1. Saudi Arabia’s official response: whether Riyadh confirms strikes on Sanaa and characterizes them as retaliation or a separate operation.
2. Casualty confirmation from the second Riyadh terminal attack and any Sanaa airport damage reports.
3. Whether the Houthis signal further waves or announce a pause, which would indicate whether this is a sustained campaign or a two-salvo statement.