Following Houthi attacks on Riyadh, Saudi authorities shut down King Khalid International Airport, and organisers postponed a planned summit of Gulf and EU leaders as well as a golf tournament.

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Escalating security threats from Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen have heightened regional conflict risks across the Gulf, prompting U.S. diplomatic missions to issue security alerts

The U.S. State Department is preparing an ordered departure of some personnel and family members from U.S. embassies across the Gulf region, according to three U.S. officials on October 21, 2026

Two U.S. officials stated that the ordered departures from U.S. embassies across the Gulf region could potentially involve the evacuation of all personnel and family members from the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia

On October 21, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of potential further attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia

The UK Ministry of Defence stated that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten British national economic and security interests while worsening Yemen's humanitarian crisis

Houthi rebels announced in July 2026 that they would target Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and Saudi infrastructure following a Saudi attack on Sana'a airport

A Houthi strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, marking the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in over a decade

The UK Ministry of Defence previously extended its air-to-air refueling support for Saudi warplanes for an additional 90 days prior to deploying RAF Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

Saudi-backed Yemeni government ground forces launched a counter-offensive supported by Saudi airstrikes to recapture territory lost to Houthi rebels

Houthi forces launched a ballistic missile attack on October 19, 2026, against a training camp in Yemen's Shabwa province, killing at least 53 newly recruited government security personnel

The UK's military deployment to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks includes an Atlas A400M transport aircraft and British military advisers alongside the RAF Typhoon fighter jets

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the United Kingdom will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to fly defensive counter-air missions intercepting Houthi missiles and drones, protecting Saudi Arabian cities and critical infrastructure without offensive strikes in Yemeni airspace

Houthi rebels retained control over key locations in Yemen despite facing a heavy Saudi airstrike campaign and a Yemeni government ground counter-offensive

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced to Parliament the RAF Typhoon deployment to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, following a formal request for military assistance from the Saudi Arabian government

A British air-to-air refueling aircraft participated in October 2026 missions aimed at degrading Houthi military targets in Yemen that threaten the Saudi and Yemeni people

Houthi rebels established control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, threatening a major international maritime trade route for European shipping

Houthi forces launched a offensive on Yemen's western coast, capturing strategic territory including maritime access points along the Red Sea

Saudi government agencies in Riyadh and the Kingdom Centre skyscraper instructed employees to work from home starting October 19, 2026 due to airport attacks.

The prolonged closure of Riyadh airport forced the postponement of Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative forum, originally scheduled for October 26 to 29, 2026.

Riyadh's international airport was forced to close until further notice following fatal missile strikes by Yemen's Houthi militia that killed 18 people in October 2026.