Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport Kills 12, Deadliest Strike on Saudi Arabia in Over a Decade

At least 12 people were killed and more than 300 wounded on Saturday in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the deadliest in the kingdom in more than ten years. It was the third strike on the airport this week, and the earlier two killed four people and badly damaged a Saudi commercial plane on the tarmac. The Saudi civil aviation authority said victims included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt. Hospitals were flooded with casualties, and all flights were diverted.

Houthis and Saudi Coalition Response

The Houthis have not claimed this attack, though their media chief said the group had shut down the airport. They have warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina. A Saudi-led coalition promised to respond. The US embassy told citizens to avoid the area.

Trump, Rubio and UN React to Houthi Strike

President Donald Trump said Washington may join Saudi strikes, adding the US would decide quickly. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, as did UN chief Antonio Guterres, who said hitting civilian infrastructure violates international law.

Yemen Ceasefire Collapse and Wider Impact

A 2022 truce unraveled this summer, and the Houthis seized the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. A government offensive has gained little ground while Taiz remains besieged. Riyadh’s upcoming energy and investment conferences are still planned.