12 Killed in Houthi Strike on Riyadh’s Main Airport
Deadly Strike on Riyadh Airport
A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured 309 others. The dead included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that some of the wounded were in critical condition and that all were receiving medical care at several hospitals. Hospitals were flooded with wounded brought by ambulance and helicopter. Saudi authorities have extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport until at least midnight local time on Sunday for safety and structural inspections, with flights cancelled or diverted. Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 showed all flights to Riyadh had either been diverted or cancelled, with only a helicopter hovering over the airport at one point. An empty terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was observed on 1 March 2026. [1] [5] [2]
Houthi Responsibility and Warnings
The Saudi-led coalition blamed Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis for the attack, which was the third on the airport in a week. On Wednesday, Houthis claimed responsibility for two separate strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports, which killed one person and wounded others. Earlier attacks on the airport this week killed four people and damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft on the ground. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree renewed the group’s warning on Sunday against using Saudi airports. His statement, which exempted Mecca and Medina, described other airports as "potential targets and sites for operations by our forces" and urged airlines, airport workers and travellers to take the warning seriously. The statement also said Saudi Arabia "bears responsibility for any failed interceptions." [2] [5]
International Condemnation
EU leaders condemned the strike as an appalling act of terror by Iran’s proxies that risks a wider spiral of violence and called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and called on the Houthis to stop targeting civilian infrastructure. “These attacks by Iran’s proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence. They are destabilising crucial global transport and energy nodes with shockwaves sent through the world. These murderous attacks on civilians must stop at once,” the EU chief wrote on X on Sunday. She added that the EU stood in “solidarity with Saudi Arabia.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the strike, describing it as an “appalling act of terror.” “There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Kallas wrote on X. The attack drew condemnation from European leaders, the United Nations and regional governments. [2] [3]
Embassy Responses and Citizen Advisories
The Indonesian embassy confirmed no Indonesian citizens were killed or injured and urged the 360,000 Indonesian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel near the airport. "As of the time this release was issued, there have been no reports of Indonesian citizens falling victim to the incident," the diplomatic mission said in a statement, noting that verification regarding the injured remains ongoing. The embassy urged the more than 360,000 Indonesian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia to maintain high vigilance, avoid non-essential travel near the airport, and reconfirm flight schedules directly with airlines. "Indonesian citizens are urged to remain calm, comply with instructions from local authorities and stay updated on developments through official channels," the embassy stated. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia urged Americans to avoid the airport and surrounding areas. [1] [5]
Context of Escalation and Events in Riyadh
The attack occurred as Riyadh hosts major international energy conferences that are proceeding as scheduled, while the US embassy advised citizens to avoid the airport. The WPC Energy Congress, running from Sunday to Thursday, is proceeding as scheduled, while organisers previously said the Future Investment Initiative would go ahead from October 26 to 29. The repeated strikes have made the protection of passengers and airport staff an immediate concern alongside the disruption to flights. Questions remain over whether those inside the airport received an actionable public warning before Saturday’s strike, and what procedures were in place after the earlier attacks. Saudi Arabia already operates a National Early Warning Platform. The Saudi Civil Defence says it uses cell-broadcast technology to send emergency messages, accompanied by a distinctive tone, to phones connected to mobile networks in the affected area. Its purpose is to warn the public and explain what action people should take to protect themselves. During Iranian attacks in March, residents of Riyadh received Arabic- and English-language messages warning of a "hostile aerial threat" and instructing them to remain indoors or in a safe place away from windows and doors. The Civil Defence also issued mobile warnings for Riyadh and nearby Al-Kharj on 19 September amid escalating Houthi attacks, followed by all-clear messages. [5] [2]
What to watch next: The WPC Energy Congress continues as scheduled through Thursday while the airport remains closed for inspections until at least midnight local time on Sunday, and Houthi warnings against Saudi airports remain in place.
