00:01A ballistic missile attack claim has sent shockwaves through Riyadh, with the Houthis saying they targeted Saudi Arabia's King Khalid
00:10International Airport.
00:12Smoke was reportedly seen rising from a stationary aircraft at the airport as flights were disrupted and the Saudi capital
00:21was jolted by loud booms.
00:23The Houthis are claiming direct responsibility for the attack.
00:27Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari said their forces had launched a ballistic missile at King Khalid International Airport and claimed
00:37the missile successfully struck its target.
00:40The group says the attack caused damage and disrupted air traffic at the airport.
00:46But there is an important point here.
00:49The Houthi claim has not been independently established in full.
00:54Reuters, citing a witness and three people briefed on the matter, reported that smoke was seen rising from a stationary
01:01aircraft at the airport, which was thought to be empty.
01:05Flight tracking service Flightradar24 also reported that Riyadh Airport had been closed again.
01:12According to the service, the last landing had taken place more than 80 minutes earlier, while the last takeoff was
01:20more than 90 minutes earlier.
01:22To establish whether or not there was casualties, we still have to wait for further clarification.
01:28At the same time, the Saudi-led coalition gave a different account of the missile threat.
01:34It said its forces had destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh.
01:40Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the reported airport strike or the latest disruption.
01:47And the Houthis are now going further with their warning.
01:51They say they could force Saudi airspace to close, raising fresh concerns for commercial aviation across the region.
01:59That could have major consequences for air travel through one of the region's key aviation hubs.
02:06The latest escalation comes as Yemen's long-running conflict has erupted again after years of relative dormancy.
02:13Saudi Arabia has backed forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government in its renewed fight against the Houthis.
02:22And the wider conflict is unfolding amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
02:28The impact is already being felt beyond the airport.
02:32Several multinational companies operating in Riyadh's King Abdallah Financial District
02:38reportedly instructed employees to work from home after the loud explosions.
02:43Some diplomats also said they received security warnings.
02:48And several schools in Riyadh reportedly told parents that students should shelter in place.
02:54This is also not the first reported strike involving Saudi aviation infrastructure this week.
03:00Saudi authorities said on Wednesday that three people had been killed in strikes targeting Riyadh Airport and Aba Airport in
03:09the southwest of the kingdom.
03:10The latest incident now raises the stakes even further.
03:15The Houthis are not only claiming attacks on Saudi territory,
03:19they're openly warning that continued strikes could disrupt Saudi airspace.
03:24For now, key questions remain unanswered.
03:28Was the airport aircraft actually damaged by the claimed missile strike?
03:32How many missiles were launched?
03:34And how effective were Saudi air defenses in intercepting them?
03:39What is clear is that the reported attack represents a sharp escalation.
03:44Riyadh is facing fresh security pressure, flights have been disrupted,
03:49businesses are moving staff remotely, and the Houthis are threatening further action.
03:54As regional tensions continue to spread,
03:58the biggest concern now is whether attacks on Saudi infrastructure
04:01become a regular feature of the widening conflict.
04:19a permanent change at your life.
04:19fonctionne with financial aid system too.
04:25See you again.
04:26Subscribe to One India and never miss an update.
04:30Download the One India app now.
04:35Stockholm, Okazaken Khaerans, Tuasa Standard,
