What happened

At least 12 people were killed and 309 others were wounded in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, according to Saudi civil aviation officials cited by Dawn. A diplomatic source stated that the incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. local time and was caused by a missile fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing injured people in the domestic terminal, prompting panic and evacuations.

Following the attack, aviation authorities temporarily suspended airport operations to assess damage and ensure safety. Tracking service Flightradar24 reported that incoming flights were diverted to other locations, mainly Jeddah, and a notice was issued suspending operations until midnight. The long-term schedule for the full reopening of the facility was not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Key facts

  • The deceased included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan.
  • Several pilgrims traveling to Makkah were among the injured, with multiple victims admitted to intensive care or listed in critical condition.
  • Health officials triggered an emergency call-up requiring ER doctors to report to hospitals across Riyadh to manage the influx of casualties.
  • Flight disruptions were widespread, with 155 incoming and 161 outgoing flights cancelled, alongside 222 delayed flights.
  • Embassies representing the US, Canada, Germany, and Spain advised their citizens and diplomatic personnel to avoid the airport.

Why it matters

The incident highlights a severe escalation in strikes hitting civilian infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. As reported by Dawn, Houthi rebels have regularly aimed attacks at Saudi airports, oil facilities, and maritime vessels following the breakdown of a UN-brokered ceasefire. This surge in regional hostility coincides with renewed ground fighting in Yemen, where Saudi-backed government troops have initiated an offensive against Houthi forces near the Bab al-Mandab shipping route.

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Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 10, 2026 · Photo by Hunter Hares on Unsplash