The deadliest strike on Saudi soil in over a decade has left at least 12 people dead and hundreds wounded at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. In response, the Saudi-led coalition announced on Sunday that it would launch a “decisive” counterattack against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, whom it blames for the assault.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki condemned the incident as a “full-fledged war crime” during a press conference on X. A diplomatic source indicated the weapon used was a missile. This event marks the most lethal attack in the kingdom since May 2015, when an Islamic State suicide bombing killed 21 worshippers in Qatif.
The attack occurred amidst an unprecedented escalation of Houthi operations following the collapse of a UN-brokered truce in July. The civil war in Yemen had been dormant for four years until hostilities resumed, intensifying regional tensions within the broader Middle East conflict.
Authorities confirmed that among the deceased were four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. The Civil Aviation Authority stated that 309 individuals were injured, with some in serious condition. Consequently, airport operations were suspended while damage assessments are conducted.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes at the terminal. One passenger told AFP, “I was on gate 403. I saw 401 hit, I saw injured in front of my eyes. Everyone was running.” Health officials activated a rare mass call-up of doctors to manage the emergency, and reports emerged that several pilgrims traveling to Mecca were among the wounded.
Education authorities in Riyadh ordered all schools to switch to remote learning for the week, marking the second such closure in a month. Parents received official emails citing the ministry’s directive due to the ongoing security concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled potential American military involvement, stating, “We may” join strikes against the group. He described the attack as “not acceptable” and planned to discuss the situation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While U.S. media reports suggest previous requests for military aid were declined, the diplomatic landscape remains fluid.
International reactions have been swift. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “heinous attack” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s defense pact commitments. Meanwhile, embassies from the United States, Canada, Germany, and Spain urged their citizens to avoid the airport, with a senior Western diplomat noting that staff travel bans are in place for the coming week.
The timing of the strike is significant, arriving just before Saudi Arabia’s major convention and entertainment season, which typically draws global business and political leaders. On the ground in Yemen, Saudi-supported government forces are reportedly advancing against Houthi positions near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical chokepoint for Red Sea shipping. Both sides have exchanged conflicting claims regarding recent battles in the area.
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