The Current Affairs Digest · ages 15+ · 2026-10-18
Houthi Missiles Hit Aden; Riyadh’s Airport Stays Suspended
Saudi Arabia says 12 died in the October 10 attack on Riyadh airport; Trump urges Riyadh to accept Israeli help.
The Houthis, who control Sanaa, have attacked Saudi Arabia since Yemen’s civil war reignited in July. On October 10 a strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia says 12 people were killed and 300 wounded. The airport remains suspended through October 17; Jeddah and Dammam are operating with delays.
The fighting is also inside Yemen. On October 15 Houthi missiles hit the Al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden, the interim capital; Yemen’s health minister said five people were killed and 16 wounded. The UN Security Council issued a presidential statement condemning the Houthi attacks, which Saudi Arabia welcomed, citing Resolution 2216 (2015).
The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Yanbu, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and drones over several regions, and destroyed Houthi storage sites in Sanaa, Saada and Amran. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging the Houthis; Iran denies it and offers to mediate.
On October 16 Trump said Israel “has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia” and that Saudi–Israeli normalisation could be back on the table. Riyadh has said it will normalise only with a clear path to Palestinian statehood. Indian carriers have paused Saudi flights: Air India until October 20 and IndiGo until October 24.
Why it matters
Airports and sea lanes carry people, aid and trade, so a widening war between a Gulf power and Yemen’s Houthis disrupts travel, including for Indians in the Gulf, far beyond the fighting.
THE RED SEA. Saudi Arabia and Yemen sit on the eastern shore of the Red Sea.