Saudi authorities have extended the closure of Riyadh's airport after deadly strikes by Houthi forces, according to Reuters. The extension follows a second Houthi strike on the same airport within two days, the BBC reported.
Reuters put the news in its headline on Monday, 12 October 2026, indicating the shutdown would continue beyond its original period. The BBC confirmed the site was hit twice in a 48-hour window.
Coverage of the attacks has widened beyond the immediate damage. Al Jazeera examined why Houthi missiles have been able to penetrate Saudi Arabia's air defences, while CNN reported that Riyadh faces a difficult decision over how to respond, describing the available options as stark.
The Guardian framed the strikes in broader terms, writing that the Gulf has entered a new period of instability and warning that its leaders cannot assume old alliances will protect them.
The reports do not specify casualty figures, the extent of damage to the airport, or when flights might resume. No full article text was available at the time of writing, so those details remain unconfirmed.
What to watch next: whether Saudi Arabia announces a military response, and when Riyadh airport is cleared to reopen.
