A missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring 309 others, according to Saudi authorities. The attack targeted the airport’s domestic terminal and caused significant damage. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties, noting four Saudi citizens and eight foreign residents were among the dead.
The Saudi-led coalition accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of carrying out the attack, citing their continued strikes on Saudi infrastructure. The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The attack occurred amid a surge in Houthi strikes since the collapse of a truce in July.
In response, the Saudi embassy in Kuwait arranged buses to repatriate citizens stranded due to flight cancellations. The airport was temporarily closed following the attack, prompting health officials to mobilize doctors for emergency care. Foreign embassies also advised their nationals to avoid the area.
The incident marks a dangerous escalation in the regional conflict, with both sides intensifying military actions. The European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as a “dangerous escalation,” highlighting the growing instability in the region. The situation remains volatile as the conflict continues to impact civilian infrastructure and international travel.
