Houthis claim a new missile attack on Riyadh airport as Saudi Arabia keeps it shut and oil rises
The Houthis said they targeted Riyadh's airport with a ballistic missile on Monday, after the Saudi-led coalition said it had shot down a missile over the capital (GMA News, FinancialJuice). Reuters, in the Straits Times, said Saudi Arabia faced a new barrage and the airport would stay shut. Mint said the closure runs to October 17; CNA said this week. Cirium expected about 60 percent of scheduled flights to be cancelled. Earlier reports counted 12 dead and 309 injured from Saturday's strike (Premium Times); CNA now says 14 dead and more than 300 injured in the repeated attacks. A Houthi official warned of a swift, painful response if the United States joins the war (Vanguard, Le Figaro). Nigeria's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack (Leadership).
Saudi Arabia is the world's largest crude exporter and hosts Muslim pilgrims all year. Attacks on its airports raise travel risk and push up oil prices, which feed into what Nigeria earns and what it pays for imported fuel.
If you or a relative plan an Umrah trip, confirm flights and visas with your agent or airline before paying. Brent near $106, if it holds, keeps pressure on pump prices.
Saudi officials say their defences stopped many projectiles and that they will investigate how some got through.
Analysts quoted by Mint say mixed missile and drone salvos are hard to stop and expose gaps in air defences.
Watch three things: whether the airport reopens on October 17, whether the United States enters the war, and whether oil holds near $106. The Brent figure comes from one outlet.
DailyDrop Nigeria edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026