Overview
- Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was hit by a strong explosion that forced an evacuation and suspended passenger flights on Saturday, causing reports of serious injuries and on‑site damage.
- Major carriers including Air Arabia, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Flydubai announced temporary suspensions or cancellations of routes to Saudi airports, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and prompting travel advisories.
- The Saudi‑led coalition said it launched a large operation and reported destroying 136 Houthi military targets, a tally released by coalition spokespeople that has not been independently verified.
- Saudi aviation authorities and party sources reported civilian deaths, injured people and damage to a Saudi Airlines plane and terminal facilities, but casualty and damage figures vary across official and media accounts.
- Analysts warn the escalation risks wider effects on shipping through the Bab el Mandeb and the Red Sea, and could further disrupt planned conferences and regional commerce if strikes continue.