Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 12 and Injures Over 300
Deadly Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport
A missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people of multiple nationalities and injured more than 300 others on Saturday, prompting Saudi Arabia to extend the airport's closure and draw international condemnation. The dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. [2] Some of the injured remain in critical condition. [3] The attack struck an airport complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights. [1] Hospitals were flooded with wounded brought by ambulance and helicopter. [3] Jordan's foreign ministry said two injured Jordanians were discharged from hospital while two others were still receiving treatment. [3] Saudi Arabia on Sunday extended the closure of the country's main international airport until at least 9 p.m. Sunday according to an online flight tracker. [1] Airport operations were suspended Saturday. [1] The attack was the latest of several in the past week at King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, and marked the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war. [1]
Saudi Coalition Blames Houthis for War Crime
The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the strike on a civilian passenger terminal, called it a war crime, and vowed a firm response while citing international humanitarian law. [2] The coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the command would respond firmly while acting in accordance with international humanitarian law. [2] The airport has no military facilities. [1] The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack according to international media reports. [2] The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen blamed the group for targeting a passenger terminal and described the attack as a war crime. [2] The Houthis also claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. [1]
Trump Considers US Involvement
US President Donald Trump stated he is weighing whether the United States will join Saudi strikes against the Houthis and plans to speak with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. [1] Trump described the attack as “terrible” and said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis. [2] Shortly after the attack, Trump said he was evaluating whether the US should join Saudi strikes against the rebels. [1] “We may. We're going to look at it,” he said. [1] “We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly.” [1] Trump said later Saturday that he planned to speak with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. [1] Asked if the US might get involved, Trump responded, “We'll find out.” [1] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, noting that an American citizen was among those killed, and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. [2]
International Condemnation Grows
Multiple governments and UN envoy Hans Grundberg condemned the attack on civilian infrastructure as a grave escalation that threatens regional security and peace efforts. [2] Hans Grundberg, the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, called the attack a grave escalation, warning that strikes against civilian infrastructure threaten regional security and further complicate efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. [2] He urged the Houthis, also known as AnsaruAllah, to stop attacks and called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects. [2] Pakistan also strongly condemned the attack. [2] Its Foreign Office said targeting a civilian airport was a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and security. [2] Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which also involves Türkiye. [2] India, Türkiye, Canada, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Palestinian officials were among those who condemned the attack or expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. [2] India called repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable,” while Qatar described the strikes as a threat to Saudi sovereignty, regional security and civil aviation. [2] Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure could not be justified. [2]
Context of Escalating Yemen Conflict
The attack is the latest in a surge of Houthi strikes on Saudi airports and infrastructure following the collapse of a 2022 ceasefire and a recent Saudi-led offensive in Yemen. [1] The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. [1] Relative calm after a 2022 ceasefire ended in July when the Houthis resumed attacks, saying the Saudis fired on the Sanaa airport as a plane from Iran was trying to land. [1] That revived anger over the Saudi-led blockade that has largely isolated Houthi-run areas. [1] Now fighting has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for Yemeni government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. [1] The Houthis this week warned global airlines “for the last time” about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theatre for their military operations. [1] Yemen's Houthis on Sunday renewed their warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom "bore responsibility for failed interceptions". [4] The attack was the third reported assault on Riyadh’s airport within a week, following other strikes that caused casualties and damage. [2]
Disruption to Air Travel and Oil Markets
Saudi Arabia extended the closure of its main international airport until at least 9 p.m. Sunday; several airlines had already suspended flights to Riyadh. [1] Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines suspended flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods. [1] Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter, and the attacks have sent up oil prices and rattled markets. [1] The attack also damaged airport facilities and disrupted flight operations. [2]
What to watch next: The Saudi-led coalition has vowed a firm response to the attack while acting in accordance with international humanitarian law, and the Houthis have renewed warnings to airlines against using Saudi airports.
