Yemen's Houthi group has claimed a ballistic missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, escalating a week of strikes on Saudi airports.

Saudi authorities said a midweek attack on the Riyadh airport killed one person, while an attack on Abha airport killed two people. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted missiles fired toward the capital and destroyed a launch site.

The Houthis said the strikes were a response to Saudi military action in Yemen. The group has warned international airlines against using Saudi airspace, declaring it an open target except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Airlines are reacting. The Lufthansa Group said it would suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16, citing developments in the Middle East. Air India cancelled all flights to the Saudi capital until October 10.

Witnesses reported smoke rising near Riyadh airport on Thursday, with passengers evacuated and outgoing flights suspended. The attacks mark the first deaths from Houthi strikes on Saudi airports since the kingdom joined a major offensive against the group.