At least 12 people killed, more than 300 injured in strike on Riyadh airport, Saudi officials say
Riyadh Airport Strike Leaves Dozens Dead and Hundreds Wounded
Wertynews.com – A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people on Saturday and injured 309 others, Saudi authorities said, marking one of the most serious attacks to hit the Saudi capital during the expanding conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one person each from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. One American was also among those killed. Hospitals across Riyadh were treating the wounded, with several victims listed in critical condition.
The attack hit an area containing terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, a regional official said anonymously because they were not permitted to discuss the incident publicly. Saudi aviation authorities halted airport operations after the strike, while flights were rerouted to other destinations.
Airport Shut Down as Security Tightens
An aviation notice indicated that the airport closure would remain in effect through midnight. Police were deployed heavily around the facility, access points were blocked and lighting near the airport complex was reduced.
Flight disruptions had already been building before Saturday’s attack. FlightAware recorded at least 291 canceled flights at Riyadh’s airport over the previous 24 hours. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines had suspended some flights involving Riyadh and other Saudi airports for differing periods.
Travel advisories issued by the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada urged their citizens to stay away from the airport. The disruption highlights the challenge facing civilian aviation as attacks extend beyond military targets and oil facilities.
Houthis Have Not Claimed Saturday’s Attack
The Tehran-backed Houthi movement had not immediately taken responsibility for the latest strike. Earlier in the week, however, the group said it carried out attacks against King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudi nationals, including a pilot.
Saudi Arabia has faced a sharp increase in attacks since a Saudi-led coalition began a major military operation against the Houthis in neighboring Yemen. The rebels control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and accused Saudi Arabia earlier Saturday of attacking Sanaa International Airport.
United Nations special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg described the Riyadh airport strike as a dangerous escalation and warned that it represented a serious threat to regional security.
"a dangerous escalation" that poses "a grave threat to regional security."
The violence comes as fighting intensifies between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Coalition aircraft have supported government troops seeking to reverse recent Houthi advances along the Red Sea.
Those territorial gains have increased the rebels’ ability to monitor maritime activity near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an important shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The passage has taken on greater strategic importance as vessels face risks elsewhere in the region, including near the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington Weighs Its Response
President Trump said Saturday that the United States was considering whether to participate in Saudi military action against the Houthis following the attack.
"We may. We're gonna look at it," Mr. Trump told reporters. "We just found out about the recent attack [on the airport]. So we'll make a decision — we move very quickly."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the strike and noted that an American citizen was among the victims. A State Department spokesperson said the administration remained in close contact with Saudi partners.
"The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the terrorist Houthis, including today's strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that took numerous innocent lives, including an American citizen,"
The attack has added to concerns that the conflict could draw in more countries and further disrupt transportation, trade and energy markets. Saudi Arabia is the world’s leading oil exporter, and repeated strikes against airports, military sites and energy infrastructure have unsettled the region.
Pressure on Regional Air Travel and Shipping
The Houthis warned international airlines this week about operating in Saudi airspace, describing it as an area of military operations. The warning, combined with airport strikes and flight cancellations, has placed pressure on carriers to reassess routes, passenger safety and scheduling.
The group has said it is targeting Saudi shipping as part of a blockade response. Yet fears remain that attacks could reach beyond Saudi-linked vessels. After the Gaza war began, the Houthis also targeted other ships while describing their actions as support for Palestinians. A U.S. bombing campaign later limited those attacks.
Despite the airport closure and broader security concerns, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry continued promoting a major international energy conference scheduled to begin in Riyadh on Sunday. The contrast underscored the kingdom’s effort to maintain major economic activity while confronting an increasingly direct security threat.
For travelers, airlines and regional governments, Saturday’s strike has made clear that the conflict’s effects are no longer confined to front lines in Yemen. Civilian infrastructure, commercial aviation and vital transport routes are now central concerns as tensions continue to rise.
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