Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10, killing at least 12 people, including one American, and injuring more than 300, according to a Saudi-led coalition. The attack marked the second strike on the airport within two days.
The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthi rebels for the attack, which targeted the airport’s infrastructure. The strike forced the closure of the airport for several hours and led to widespread flight cancellations. Airlines were warned to avoid the kingdom’s airspace as a result of the escalating threat.
The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia. Iran is reportedly coordinating Houthi operations in Saudi Arabia with specialists from its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Houthi rebels have been launching missile strikes on Saudi targets, including airports and oil facilities, in response to Saudi military actions in Yemen.
This escalation follows a deadly strike on Riyadh’s international airport earlier in the week, which killed 13 people, including an American. The attacks have prompted international condemnation, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey all condemning the Houthi actions.
The situation has raised concerns about regional stability, with travel to Saudi Arabia disrupted and diplomatic warnings issued. Canada advised against travel to Riyadh airport following the attacks, though its embassy remained open for consular assistance. The conflict continues to strain relations between Saudi Arabia and its neighbors, with the Houthi rebels and Saudi forces engaged in a cycle of retaliatory strikes.
