At least 12 people were killed and over 300 wounded during an attack on Riyadh’s international airport, marking the deadliest incident in Saudi Arabia in over ten years. Victims included four Saudis, two from Bangladesh, and individuals from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. The attack is part of a series of assaults by the Iran-backed Houthis, which have intensified since a ceasefire unraveled earlier this summer.
This was the third attack on the airport in one week, with earlier strikes resulting in additional injuries and damage to a commercial plane. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but a coalition led by Saudi Arabia has promised retaliation. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that the U.S. is considering joining Saudi military action against the Houthis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the airport attacks for their disregard for civilian lives, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an end to assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Since entering the Yemen war in 2015, Saudi Arabia has aimed to drive the Houthis from the capital, Sanaa, leading to a protracted conflict that has resulted in widespread casualties. The 2022 ceasefire had offered some hope for peace, but recent Houthi gains have prompted Saudi-backed forces to start an offensive to reclaim territory.
After the airport attack, all flights were redirected, and airport operations were halted. The Houthis claimed responsibility for interrupting operations at Riyadh airport, designating Saudi airspace as a military zone while exempting air travel over Mecca and Medina. Eyewitnesses reported an explosion and injuries, with ambulances responding to the scene. The U.S. embassy has advised its citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas, while some airlines have already canceled flights to Riyadh due to earlier attacks.
With information from Reuters
