Riyadh: At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 10, according to Saudi authorities. Several injured people were reported to be in critical condition as emergency services rushed victims to hospitals.
The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement.
Foreign Nationals Among Those Killed
According to Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authorities, the fatalities included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each from the United States, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.
The injured were taken to multiple hospitals for treatment, with medical teams responding to the large number of casualties. The extent of the damage caused by the attack was also being assessed.
The strike reportedly hit the airport complex housing domestic passenger terminals 3 and 4. Emergency vehicles were seen at the site following the incident.
Flights Suspended After Airport Strike
Airport operations were temporarily suspended following the attack, and flights were diverted from Riyadh as authorities responded to the emergency.
The disruption came after earlier attacks targeting the airport during the same week. Previous incidents had reportedly caused casualties and damage to aircraft, raising concerns over the safety of civilian aviation infrastructure.
Several airlines had already suspended or canceled services to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations amid the deteriorating security situation.
The US Embassy in Riyadh also advised American citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas following the latest strike.
Houthis Claim Responsibility Amid Escalating Conflict
The Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Reuters. The strike comes as Saudi Arabia and its allies intensify military operations against the group in Yemen.
The renewed fighting follows the breakdown of a ceasefire and an escalation of clashes involving Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
The latest attack has increased concerns about the widening regional conflict and its impact on civilians, commercial aviation and international travel. Further developments are expected as Saudi authorities assess the damage and consider their response.