Two missiles aimed at Riyadh downed as PIA stays suspended

Two Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh were intercepted on the evening of 29 October, debris injured one person, and PIA's Riyadh flights stay suspended. The Saudi-led coalition's spokesman, Turki Al-Maliki, said on Thursday evening that air defences had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh; Civil Defence issued warnings for Riyadh, Al Kharj and Najran at about 8.53pm and announced about 20 minutes later that the danger had passed, and AFP correspondents reported explosions in the capital, according to Arab News and Gulf News. On Friday 30 October Civil Defence said falling debris from the two interceptions had caused a minor injury to a citizen and material damage to a house and a vehicle in Riyadh, Arab News Pakistan reported.

Early on Friday the coalition said it had also intercepted a cruise missile launched towards western Saudi Arabia and destroyed a drone in the Makkah region, with no casualties reported, according to Anadolu Agency and the AFP report carried by Arab News Pakistan. The Houthis claimed six attacks on Thursday, on the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries, Aramco facilities at Abqaiq, the airports at Riyadh and Dammam and a military position near Najran, according to the IANS report carried by Gulf News; the Saudi statements reported only the interceptions. For pilgrims, the position is unchanged: Gulf News's list of 30 October again shows PIA's Riyadh services suspended with no resumption date, the Pakistan Airports Authority's last statement said PIA's other Saudi services continue, Saudia and flyadeal route their Riyadh passengers through Al Qassim with a coach transfer, and Riyadh Air flies its Lahore and Islamabad services through Al Qassim.

Connections through the UAE: flydubai said on 30 October that its Riyadh, Dammam and Abha flights are cancelled up to and including 5 November, with Jeddah, Madinah, Taif, Tabuk, Al Qassim and Ha'il operating, Khaleej Times reported, where it had listed the three routes from 30 October; Emirates' listing for 30 October shows its first Dubai to Jeddah rotation EK801 and EK802 cancelled and EK803 to EK806 scheduled, every Riyadh and Dammam flight cancelled and Madinah operating, and Gulf News's briefing noted that none of the 30 October return flights had operated as of 29 October; Etihad's Riyadh, Dammam and EY601 to EY604 Jeddah services are cancelled through 5 November; and Air Arabia's Sharjah flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha were cancelled on 30 October. Confirm your flight, your terminal at Jeddah and your onward transport to Makkah with the airline or your Umrah operator before leaving for the airport, treat Emirates' Jeddah schedule as subject to change, and follow Civil Defence alerts while in the Kingdom.