Morning edition · October 25, 2026
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted drones and missiles over Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia on October 25. Civil-defense authorities issued alerts and later announced that the immediate danger had passed, Reuters reported.
Two King Khalid International Airport terminals resumed operations Sunday. The airport designated Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international services operated by national carriers. The Houthis renewed threats against the airport.
A reopening does not settle the security question
The reported interceptions are the coalition’s account. TalkLife has not independently verified each military claim. An announcement that a terminal is operating establishes a change in airport service; it cannot, by itself, establish that every route is available or that the surrounding conflict has ended.
For families arranging journeys, those are separate questions. A booking should be checked against the airline’s current flight information and the airport’s instructions rather than an older departure plan.
What the U.S. advisory says
The State Department’s October 23 travel advisory says Americans should reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia. It cites drone and missile threats, armed conflict and terrorism, among other risks. The Yemen border region carries a stronger “Do Not Travel” warning.
The advisory also records an order for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave. Government employees remaining in the country need special authorization to use any Saudi airport. Those employment restrictions should not be confused with a blanket announcement that every civilian airport is closed.
Americans in the country are advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, monitor alerts, keep travel documents accessible and make an emergency departure plan that does not depend on U.S. government assistance.
Developing story. Airport arrangements and security alerts can change quickly. This report describes the information available Sunday morning, not a guarantee of future flight operations.