According to a report by Dawn, two attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three Saudi nationals and injuries to several others. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that the first strike hit airport infrastructure, while the second struck an aircraft belonging to state carrier Saudia.

The kingdom's flag carrier confirmed that one of the deceased was pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami. The exact number of injured individuals is not specified in the source; please check the official notice. Aviation officials stated that injuries ranged from minor to severe, but airport operations have since resumed and flight traffic has returned to normal.

What happened

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the Riyadh airport with two cruise missiles. The group also stated it launched ballistic missiles at an airbase in Khamis Mushait and an airport in Najran, though Saudi authorities have not confirmed the Najran strike. Following loud explosions on Thursday morning, several multinational firms in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District instructed staff to work remotely or evacuated them, diplomats were told to shelter in place, and an international school placed students in a basement for safety.

Key facts

  • Casualties: Three Saudi nationals were killed, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami. Saudi authorities previously reported three deaths from earlier strikes this week at Riyadh and Abha airports.
  • Flight Suspensions: Multiple carriers suspended or cancelled services to Riyadh, including Pakistan International Airlines, Lufthansa Group (until October 16), IndiGo (until October 9), and both Air India and Akasa Air (until October 10).
  • Damage: Video verified by Reuters showed smoke rising from the airport after a stationary commercial plane caught fire, which was later put out.

Why it matters

The Houthis stated they are attacking Saudi Arabia due to its backing of Yemen’s UN-recognised government in the country's civil war. Dawn reports that the wider conflict has become an overspill of the US-Iran war, deepening regional instability and threatening further escalation.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 09, 2026 · Photo by Jay Openiano on Unsplash