Houthi strikes hit Riyadh as Saudi airport reopens despite warnings
Houthi missiles strike Riyadh as Saudi Arabia reopens King Khalid International Airport Sunday after a two-week closure. AFP journalists heard three explosions early Sunday; residents received "hostile aerial threat" alerts. The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted 10 Houthi missiles toward southern Saudi Arabia plus a ballistic missile and two drones targeting Riyadh. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree warned the airport remains "unsafe" and a "military target," urging airlines and travelers to avoid it.
This flare-up follows the collapse of a years-long Yemen truce. An earlier Houthi attack this month killed 13 and wounded 300+ — the kingdom's deadliest in over a decade. The Houthis also targeted oil infrastructure, three Saudi airports, a pipeline, and an air base within 24 hours. Debris fell near Mecca and Medina Saturday, though Houthis deny targeting Islam's holiest cities.
For Nigerians: Saudi Arabia is the world's top crude exporter. Sustained attacks disrupt global oil markets, potentially affecting Nigeria's oil revenue and fuel prices. Hajj and Umrah travelers should monitor Saudi aviation advisories — Riyadh airport operations remain uncertain despite Sunday's announced reopening. The Red Sea coast now under Houthi control adds shipping route risks.
Will this escalation push oil prices higher, and how prepared is Nigeria's economy for another supply shock?