Saudi-Houthi Conflict Escalates With Missile Attacks on Riyadh and Holy Cities
The escalating cross-border conflict disrupted commercial aviation, killed at least 16 people in Yemen, and triggered falling missile debris near holy sites in Mecca and Medina.
The violence erupted as Saudi authorities prepared to reopen King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The airport had been shut down for two weeks following an October 10 Houthi strike that killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others, according to detikNews and Epaper Media Indonesia. On October 24, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile and two drones targeted at Riyadh. Air raid warnings sounded across the capital, prompting residents to seek shelter.
Airstrikes Devastate Residential Quarters Across Yemen
Retaliatory actions quickly expanded across international borders and regional population centers. Saudi warplanes launched roughly 20 airstrikes on the port city of Mocha and also launched airstrikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, targeting positions held by the Houthi movement.
Al-Masirah, a media outlet operated by Houthi forces, reported a series of airstrikes targeting Sanaa. Total casualties across Yemen climbed to 16 dead following separate strikes that hit a residence—killing six women and one child—and a home in western Hodeida, according to detikNews.
Houthi Forces Target Aden’s Military Infrastructure
In response to the Saudi bombing campaign, Houthi forces launched strikes against Aden. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi movement, claimed responsibility for targeting the Al-Nasr military camp and a naval base overseen by Saudi forces.
Yemen’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that the strikes hit coast guard headquarters and a secondary building.
Intercepted Missile Debris Falls Near Mecca and Jeddah
Saudi Civil Protection authorities confirmed that debris from ballistic missiles intercepted on October 24 fell in Wadi Al-Mughammas—located just 20 kilometers from the Grand Mosque in Mecca—as well as in Jeddah’s Al-Nuzha district, Taif’s Wadi Jalil, and Rabigh’s Masturah, according to Kompas. No casualties were reported from the falling debris.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemned the strikes targeting Mecca, Madinah, Taif, and Jeddah, stating that hitting areas near the Arafah valley demonstrates an utter disregard for Islamic holy sites and civilian safety, as reported by Kumparan.com.
Indonesia Seeks Ceasefire as Airlines Avoid Saudi Airspace
In Jakarta, Oleh Soleh, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), urged the central government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to actively build international coalitions to push for an immediate ceasefire, citing grave safety concerns for Indonesian citizens and Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, according to Kompas.
Following warnings from the aviation security group OpsGroup that Saudi airspace is unsafe across all altitudes, major international carriers have rushed to alter their flight paths, as detailed by The Wall Street Journal and cited by Ahlulbait Indonesia. British Airways shifted its Mumbai-to-London routing through Central Asia, while Air India diverted European flights away from central Saudi airspace to alternative northern corridors near the Syrian border. Meanwhile, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a direct warning to international airlines, airport staff, and travelers, declaring King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh unsafe and a continuing military target.