Houthi attacks kill pilot at Riyadh airport; Saudi coalition destroys missile launchers.

Houthi militants struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, killing three people and temporarily grounding hundreds of flights. The coordinated strikes damaged terminal facilities and hit a Saudia passenger plane. The airline later identified one victim as Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the attacks on Friday. The Saudi-led coalition responded by destroying three Houthi missile launchers. Major General Turki al-Malki stated that "Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure will be met with a firm response," The coalition's counterstrike targeted the launchers used in the coordinated assault.

Flight operations faced immediate disruptions. Flight tracking data from Cirium showed hundreds of departures canceled on Thursday, with 31 additional flights scrapped for Friday. Air traffic and ground operations returned to normal by Friday.

The strikes escalate tensions in a region already strained by U.S.-Iran rivalries. Riyadh backs Yemen's internationally recognized government in its civil war. In a coordinated defense move, Turkey and Pakistan agreed Monday to deploy forces and assist Saudi Arabia with deterrence measures. France and Saudi Arabia are also exploring French military assistance to defend the Yanbu oil terminal on the Red Sea coast.

Diplomatic channels remained active despite the violence. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Washington is engaged in "productive discussions" with Tehran and stated the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is reviewing a U.S. proposal and will respond within days. Following the remarks, oil prices dropped. Front-month Brent crude futures fell 1.3% to $102.94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 1% to $90.51 per barrel.