At least 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, marking the deadliest such strike in Saudi Arabia in over a decade. The attack has heightened regional tensions and raised concerns about security for upcoming events in the kingdom’s capital.
Saudi authorities identified the casualties as including four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh reported that an additional individual died on Sunday from injuries sustained during the attack. Hospitals treated hundreds of injured passengers and airport workers, some in critical condition, amid a surge of ambulances and helicopters arriving at the scene.
The missile attack hit terminals three and four, designated for domestic flights, causing extensive damage including parts of the roof collapsing on people inside. The airport remained closed Sunday as authorities completed damage assessments and safety inspections, with several international airlines suspending or rerouting flights.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the strike and issued warnings to airlines, workers, and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace, except for those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, citing the heightened risk of being targeted. The group has intensified attacks on Saudi territory in recent weeks amid an escalation of the conflict involving Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Saudi-led coalition.
On Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition condemned the attack as a "terrorist act" and pledged a decisive response. Turki al-Malki, coalition spokesperson, labeled the attack a “full-fledged war crime” and affirmed that passengers and airport employees were among the victims. Saudi Arabia also reported a separate attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, its eastern province, and has requested air defense support from allied countries amid concerns over dwindling missile interceptors.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering whether to join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. He noted that the United States recently became aware of the latest attack and would make a decision soon. The White House has provided intelligence support to Saudi Arabia but has not engaged directly in military operations against the Houthis. The conflict is seen as part of the wider proxy war between Iran and the U.S. and its allies in the region.
International reactions included condemnation of the attack by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, emphasizing violations of international law. The Arab League and multiple Gulf states also condemned the assault, while European officials described the attack as a dangerous escalation.
The conflict’s escalation has broader implications for regional security and global energy markets. The Houthis’ recent offensive captured strategic areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the Bab al-Mandab strait, raising fears of disruptions to maritime shipping routes and oil exports. Iranian forces have also increased attacks in the Persian Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the intensifying tensions.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to position Riyadh as a global investment and tourism hub, faces growing challenges as the strikes threaten to disrupt major conferences and economic gatherings. Despite the security concerns, the kingdom proceeded with an international energy conference in Riyadh on Sunday, attempting to project an image of resilience.
Meanwhile, the Houthis reported retaliatory airstrikes on Sanaa’s airport and other targets in Yemen, further underscoring the cycle of violence. The broader Yemeni conflict, which began over a decade ago, has resulted in thousands of casualties and a humanitarian crisis, with ceasefire attempts failing to produce lasting peace.
As the situation unfolds, governments and international organizations continue to monitor the security risks closely, with implications for regional diplomacy, global energy stability, and the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire.