Houthi Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 12 and Wounds 309 in Third Attack This Week

A Houthi ballistic missile struck the domestic terminal complex housing Terminals 3 and 4 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday at approximately 3:00 PM local time, killing 12 people and wounding 309 others in the deadliest single strike of an escalating campaign against Saudi aviation infrastructure. Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the toll, and the Saudi-led coalition formally attributed the attack to the Houthis, calling it a war crime. No warning alert was issued before impact, leaving travelers inside the terminal unaware of the incoming missile. Among the dead were four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. A hospital source told AFP that five people were in intensive care, and health authorities declared a mass casualty emergency.

Saudi authorities suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport immediately after the strike. A total of 266 flights were canceled and 219 delayed, with inbound aircraft diverted primarily to Jeddah. Lufthansa Group suspended Riyadh flights through October 16, and Air India, Flydubai, Pakistan International Airlines, and Kuwait Airways also halted service. The US and Canadian embassies urged their citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas. There are also reports of a projectile falling near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, suggesting the Houthis may have targeted a second Saudi airport on the same day.

Saturday's attack was the third strike on Riyadh's airport in one week. Wednesday's attack killed a Sudanese national, and Thursday's strike killed three Saudis, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, and destroyed a parked Saudia aircraft. The total confirmed death toll across Riyadh and Abha airports this week stands at six before Saturday's strike is added. Saudi authorities have warned residents that filming or sharing footage of interceptions or impact sites could result in legal action, and Europe's aviation safety agency expanded its warning covering Saudi airspace.

The attacks are drawing sharp international responses. President Trump, who was in Riyadh, called the attack "a terrible thing" and said he was "taking a look" at rejoining Saudi strikes on the Houthis and potentially resuming strikes on Iran, though no final decision has been made. Secretary of State Rubio strongly condemned the assaults. The Saudi-led coalition pledged a firm response. Egypt, Greece, and the UAE have all condemned the strikes on civilian infrastructure. The UN envoy to Yemen called the Houthi campaign a dangerous escalation undermining regional security and peace efforts. The attacks also cast uncertainty over Saudi Arabia's upcoming Future Investment Initiative summit, though leaders are said to plan to proceed.