CAIRO, 8 October, 2026 (Nosheen): Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen on Thursday claimed responsibility for a new attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, as several explosions were heard in the city and witnesses reported the evacuation of passengers and the suspension of outgoing flights. A witness said a large blast was heard at the airport, while fire and ambulance crews were deployed and smoke was visible. Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authorities said debris from an intercepted missile damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex, but reported no casualties from the latest incident. The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, Major General Turki al-Malki, said Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh, as well as another missile fired toward Khamis Mushait near the Yemen border. The Houthis claimed that a ballistic missile caused damage at King Khalid International Airport but provided no evidence, while Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the claim. The airport was reportedly closed again following the explosions, with flights temporarily halted and passengers instructed to evacuate while leaving their checked luggage behind. The Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks on Saudi airports, military facilities and oil installations and have warned international airlines against operating in Saudi airspace. They also urged people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities, which they described as targets. Wednesday’s attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports reportedly killed three people, marking the first deaths since Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. The offensive aims to retake territory seized by the Houthis along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from its allies, including the United States, while Türkiye and Pakistan are assessing possible air defence, electronic warfare and technical support under their trilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that Türkiye’s role would be defensive and ruled out sending Turkish troops to another country to conduct attacks. Pakistan’s Information Ministry said relevant authorities would provide details of any military involvement if necessary.