Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport, after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked the airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 8, 2026. Screenshot via Social Media/Reuters
Global Affairs Canada has issued a travel advisory urging Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia following Houthi missile and projectile strikes on airports there.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains closed following attacks on Oct. 10 and 11 while airports serving both Riyadh and Dammam face ongoing threats from recent strikes.
The advisory also warns against travelling to the provinces of Asir, Jazan, and Najran due to the risk of armed strikes, drone attacks, and military debris from interception. It noted violent clashes and spillovers across the Yemen border also make all areas within 30 kilometres of the border dangerous.
“The security situation remains volatile due to ongoing military activity in the region,” the advisory says.
Canadians currently in the region are being encouraged by Global Affairs to arrange travel out of the country through neighbouring nations like Bahrain or Qatar. It said it would offer information about ground transport options to those locations.
Global Affairs is also warning that the Canadian embassy in Riyadh cannot intervene in local immigration matters, secure visa extensions, or waive overstay penalties.
The diplomatic agency said all travellers should keep a close eye on their flight status because flights can be disrupted by attacks with little or no warning.
Recent missile strikes targeting Saudi airports come amid renewed fighting between Yemen’s Houthi movement and forces backed by Saudi Arabia, following the unravelling of a United Nations-backed ceasefire in 2022. The Houthis are aligned with Iran, which has provided the group with weapons-related assistance.
Tensions escalated in July after Yemeni government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, struck the runway at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing. The Houthis subsequently launched ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia and threatened further attacks on its airports and critical infrastructure.
The conflict intensified further this summer as the Houthis advanced toward the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive. The Houthis have since claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi airports and other infrastructure.
Global Affairs Canada advises Canadians in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ instructions and be prepared to shelter in place if directed to do so.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
English (US) · 
Turkish (TR) · 