Three people were killed and 36 others injured after Houthi forces launched attacks targeting two major airports in Saudi Arabia, marking a serious escalation in the conflict involving Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition.

The attacks targeted Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties and said emergency teams responded immediately.

At Abha airport, two women, identified as Moroccan and Algerian nationals, were killed. Another 28 people were injured, with the casualties including Saudi citizens and foreign residents. At King Khalid International Airport, a Sudanese national was killed and eight other people were injured.

The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group said it had used missiles and drones against Saudi targets. Some of the military claims made by the Houthis could not be independently verified.

The attacks come amid a renewed escalation in Yemen, where Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government forces have been engaged in increasingly intense fighting. The latest violence has raised concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region.

Saudi authorities said the attacks caused property damage at the airports and that investigations were underway to assess the full impact. Injured people were taken to hospitals for treatment, according to the civil aviation authority.

The security situation has also affected aviation. Earlier attacks and threats have disrupted flights in the region, while airlines and passengers are facing increased uncertainty over the safety of routes operating through Saudi and Yemeni airspace.

The conflict has extended beyond Saudi Arabia’s airports. Houthi forces have also targeted Aden International Airport in Yemen with missiles and drones. A passenger flight from Cairo was diverted to Jeddah after an attack occurred close to Aden’s airport, according to reports.

Saudi-led forces have responded with military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The escalation is particularly significant because the fighting is occurring near strategically important areas connected to the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, a major route for international shipping.

The renewed fighting is also worsening an already serious humanitarian situation in Yemen. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by displacement and disruption as fighting spreads into additional areas.

The attacks on civilian airports have raised further concerns about regional security and the potential impact on international aviation. Any prolonged disruption around major air corridors could create additional pressure on airlines, passengers and regional economies.

Saudi Arabia and its allies are expected to strengthen security measures around airports and other critical infrastructure following the attacks. Meanwhile, the Houthis have continued to signal that further attacks could occur as fighting intensifies.

The latest incidents demonstrate how quickly the Yemen conflict can create consequences beyond the country’s borders. With airports, shipping routes and other strategic infrastructure increasingly exposed to military attacks, the escalation could have wider implications for regional stability and international trade.

For now, authorities are focused on treating the injured, securing aviation facilities and assessing damage while military operations continue on multiple fronts.