At least one aircraft sustained severe damage at Riyadh airport on Thursday following multiple explosions reported across the Saudi capital, according to two sources briefed on the matter who spoke to Agence France-Presse (AFP). One source described the damage to an aircraft as catastrophic, while another said three planes had been struck. The reports emerged hours after explosions were heard in Riyadh, raising concerns over the security of critical infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions. The extent of the damage, the identities of the aircraft involved and whether the incident caused casualties were not specified in the available information.

The reports came after Yemen’s Houthi movement announced three separate attacks targeting the airport on Thursday. The claims placed the airport at the centre of the latest developments involving the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia. However, the available information did not establish the precise circumstances in which the aircraft were damaged or independently confirm the full extent of the reported impact. The statements from the two sources provided separate accounts of the damage, with one referring to catastrophic damage to at least one plane and the other reporting that three aircraft had been hit.

The reported incident follows a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, where attacks and military operations have raised concerns about the security of airports and other strategic facilities. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, is an important centre for government, business and international travel. Any damage to aircraft at its airport could have implications for aviation operations and security, although the available reports did not specify whether flights were disrupted or airport services were suspended following Thursday’s events.

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The Houthi movement, based in Yemen, has carried out attacks against Saudi targets during its long-running conflict with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Saudi Arabia previously led a military coalition that intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015. The conflict has involved multiple regional and international actors and has periodically threatened security across the Arabian Peninsula. The Houthis have also developed the capacity to launch drones and missiles over long distances, although the specific weapons reportedly used in Thursday’s airport attacks were not identified in the information available.

The reported damage to aircraft highlights the potential risks posed by attacks targeting major transport infrastructure in the region. Airports serve as critical hubs for civilian travel, cargo movement and emergency operations, making their security a significant concern during periods of conflict. However, further details would be needed to establish the full consequences of the reported incident, including the number of aircraft affected, the nature of the damage and any resulting operational restrictions. The accounts provided to AFP offered an initial indication of the impact but did not supply a comprehensive assessment.

As of the information reported, the Houthi movement had announced three attacks targeting Riyadh airport, while two sources briefed on the matter described damage to aircraft. One source reported catastrophic damage to at least one plane, and the other said three aircraft had been struck. Independent confirmation of the claims, details about casualties and an official assessment of the airport’s operational status were not provided in the supplied report. Further information from Saudi authorities or aviation officials would be necessary to clarify the circumstances and establish the complete extent of the damage.

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