Riyadh airport shut until Saturday as Houthis claim a new missile attack on Monday; Pakistan condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia reported fresh missile and drone fire on 12 October and kept Riyadh airport closed; Livemint reported the closure runs to 17 October (Reuters/Straits Times, CNA, Livemint). The Houthis claimed a ballistic-missile attack on Monday and the coalition said it shot one down (GMA News, FinancialJuice). Airlines cut or delayed services: cancellations across Saudi airports reached 46.4 per cent (Straits Times) and Delta pushed its Riyadh launch to March (CNBC). Pakistan condemned the attacks (Reuters, Business Recorder). Iran offered to mediate (New York Times, Straits Times).
Saudi Arabia hosts one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities and sends back large remittances. A prolonged closure threatens travel for workers and pilgrims, and the Hormuz-linked oil shock already weighs on Pakistan’s import bill.
If you or family travel to Saudi Arabia for work, umrah or visits, check with your airline; Riyadh airport is closed to at least 17 October. Contact the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh for consular help.
Riyadh and its allies say the attacks are terrorism that demand a strong response, and that the coalition’s air defences are working.
Analysts say mixed drone-and-missile salvos are overwhelming even advanced air defences, and that talks, not escalation, are the way out.
The next signals are practical: whether Riyadh airport reopens on 17 October as announced and whether Saudi Arabia accepts any mediation. Pakistan’s defence pact with Riyadh is the longer-term test if the attacks continue.
- Straits Times
- CNA
- GMA News
- FinancialJuice
- Livemint
- CNBC
- Bloomberg
- The Hill
- Business Recorder
- Dawn
- New York Times
DailyDrop Pakistan edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026