Published: 11:35 PM, 13 October 2026
Saudi Crown Prince moved between fortified palaces amid Houthi attacks
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is being moved between heavily guarded palaces equipped with bunkers as Houthi attacks intensify, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal cited by The Independent. The reported security measures come after a deadly attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday that killed 13 people and injured at least 300, marking Saudi Arabia's worst attack in a decade, according to the report.
The 41-year-old crown prince has not appeared in public since Tuesday, when he participated in a national blood donation campaign. Officials familiar with his movements told the Wall Street Journal that he has since been staying at fortified palaces under the protection of a handpicked security team.
The Saudi foreign ministry did not immediately respond to The Independent's request for comment.
The Houthis have reiterated their intention to target Saudi airports. King Khalid International Airport, which has reportedly been struck four times in five days, has remained closed since the weekend missile attack.
Around 60% of scheduled flights at the Riyadh airport were expected to be cancelled on Monday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom's response would be "equally serious", reflecting the gravity of the attacks.
Saudi officials have also warned that the kingdom is running low on missile interceptors needed to defend against further strikes.
Last month, Riyadh sought air defense assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt, officials told The Associated Press. One official noted that the United States had also seen its interceptor stockpiles decline during the war involving Iran.
The latest escalation comes amid renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, following the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire agreed in 2022.
The Houthis resumed attacks after accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting Sanaa airport while an Iranian aircraft was attempting to land.
US President Donald Trump has said he is considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis, while Riyadh's allies in the Mecca Pact have expressed support for the kingdom.
Iranian military spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was deeply concerned about developments in the Arabian Peninsula, warning that the fighting would benefit Israel.
Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers also spoke late Sunday as tensions escalated. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against relying on military action while ignoring the political situation and said Tehran would help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government, beginning years of conflict with the Houthi movement.
