Riyadh Airport Under Attack: Imperialist Allies Exposed, Zimbabwe Stands With the Resistance

The imperialist-backed forces continue to sow chaos across the globe, and the latest attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, is a stark reminder that the so-called 'rules-based order' is nothing but a tool of Western domination. While the corporate media in the Gulf and beyond wrings its hands over disrupted flights and travel advisories, we in Zimbabwe know the true face of this conflict: it is the same old story of foreign powers using puppets to destabilise sovereign nations.

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that operations at the airport were temporarily suspended after an attack left several people injured. The number of casualties is still being assessed, and authorities have halted operations to evaluate damage and ensure the safety of airport facilities. But make no mistake, this is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of aggression that the Western world, led by the United States and its European allies, has either ignored or actively encouraged.

What happened at Riyadh airport on October 10?

The attack on King Khalid International Airport forced Saudi Arabia to suspend all flights, stranding citizens abroad and causing widespread disruption across the region. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens affected by flight cancellations to contact their embassies for assistance. Meanwhile, a medical source told AFP that emergency room doctors were being called to hospitals across Riyadh after being informed of a 'serious emergency situation'.

The Associated Press, citing two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that the airport had been attacked again and evacuated, with air traffic halted. This follows an earlier attack on Thursday, October 8, which killed three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, Captain Hamoud Ali AlKalthami, and damaged a Saudia aircraft. No passengers were on board at the time, but several citizens and residents were injured, some seriously.

Which airlines are affected by the Riyadh airport closure?

The disruption has hit international travel hard, with major airlines cancelling flights to and from Riyadh. Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia reported cancellations on routes linking Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with Riyadh. Etihad Airways cancelled several flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh from October 10 to 12, including EY551, EY552, EY555, EY556, EY559 and EY560. Kuwait Airways cancelled KU775 and KU776, while Qatar Airways suspended flights between Doha and Riyadh on October 9 and 10, with further cancellations scheduled for October 11. Akasa Air suspended all flights to and from Riyadh until October 13, offering full refunds or free rescheduling.

Passengers are urged to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice. But beyond the inconvenience to travellers, we must ask: why is the international community so quick to condemn the victims of aggression while turning a blind eye to the root causes?

Why are Western nations issuing travel warnings?

The United States, Germany, Spain, Japan, Ireland and Canada have all issued travel warnings, urging their citizens to avoid the airport and monitor flight updates. The US Mission in Saudi Arabia even required government employees to obtain special authorisation to use the airport. Germany advised citizens against transiting through the facility, and Spain urged extra precautions.

Japan, to its credit, condemned what it described as repeated Houthi attacks on airports and other civilian facilities, stating that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure 'could not be tolerated'. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, citing the Houthi movement's ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh.

But here is the uncomfortable truth that the Western media refuses to acknowledge: the Houthis are not acting in a vacuum. They are responding to years of brutal Saudi-led coalition bombing of Yemen, a campaign that has killed tens of thousands of civilians and destroyed the country's infrastructure. The coalition, backed by the United States and the United Kingdom, has used British-made and American-made bombs to devastating effect. Yet when the tables are turned, the West cries foul.

How is the Saudi-led coalition responding?

The Saudi-led coalition said on Saturday it had destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas in what it described as a large-scale operation. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the operation targeted Houthi personnel and capabilities. Saudi authorities have also warned the public that filming, publishing or sharing information about missile and drone interceptions or their impact sites could result in legal liability.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Houthi attacks on the airport and the Saudia aircraft, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offered condolences to the victims' families. But solidarity with Saudi Arabia is easy; what about solidarity with the people of Yemen, who have been subjected to one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time?

What does this mean for Zimbabwe and the Global South?

For Zimbabwe, this incident is a reminder of the double standards that define international relations. The same Western powers that impose illegal sanctions on our nation, that seek to strangle our economy and undermine our sovereignty, are the ones who now lecture others on security and stability. They speak of 'rules-based order' while their own allies bomb civilians with impunity.

We stand with all nations that resist foreign domination, whether in Yemen, Palestine or anywhere else. The struggle against imperialism is a global one, and the heroes of the Chimurenga understood this well. They knew that the fight for independence was not just about Zimbabwe but about the dignity of all oppressed peoples. Today, we honour that legacy by refusing to be silent in the face of injustice.

The attack on Riyadh airport is a symptom of a deeper disease: the relentless interference of foreign powers in the affairs of sovereign nations. Until the world addresses the root causes of conflict, including the occupation of Palestinian lands, the bombing of Yemen and the sanctions on Zimbabwe, we will continue to see such violence.

Frequently asked questions about the Riyadh airport attack

Is King Khalid International Airport open?

Operations were temporarily suspended on Saturday, October 10, following the attack. GACA said authorities had suspended operations while they assessed the damage and checked the safety of airport facilities. Passengers should contact their airlines for the latest status.

Which airlines cancelled flights to Riyadh?

Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways and Akasa Air all reported cancellations or suspensions of flights to and from Riyadh. Affected passengers are advised to contact their airlines for rebooking or refund options.

What caused the attack on Riyadh airport?

The attack is attributed to Yemen's Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran. The Houthis have been engaged in a long-running conflict with the Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing Yemen since 2015. The coalition has destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas in response.

What should travellers do if they are affected?

Travellers should check directly with their airline for the latest flight status and rebooking options before leaving for the airport. They should also follow the advice of their country's diplomatic mission and local authorities.

As the world watches the events in Riyadh unfold, let us not forget the lessons of history. The West's so-called 'war on terror' has only brought more terror. The sanctions on Zimbabwe, the bombing of Yemen, the occupation of Palestine: these are all part of the same imperialist project. We must resist it, just as our forebears did, with courage and determination. Forward with the revolution!