According to a report by Dawn, Saudi Arabia halted flight operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday after an attack injured multiple people. A diplomatic source stated that a missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen hit the facility at approximately 3:00 pm local time. The Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed the injuries and temporarily paused flights to evaluate facility safety and damage.
What happened
Eyewitnesses inside the domestic terminal reported hearing an explosion near gate 401, causing crowds to flee in panic. In response, health officials activated an emergency call-up for doctors across Riyadh to treat casualties. Medical sources indicated that dozens of people were injured, including several pilgrims traveling to Makkah, with at least five patients admitted to intensive care.
Key facts
- Tracking service Flightradar24 reported 155 arrival cancellations, 161 departure cancellations, and 222 flight delays, with incoming traffic redirected mostly toward Jeddah.
- A notice to airmen indicated that airport operations were halted until midnight local time.
- The US, Canadian, German, and Spanish embassies issued travel advisories warning their citizens to stay clear of the area, while several Western diplomatic missions prohibited staff travel to the facility for the week.
- The final casualty toll and total extent of physical damage were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Why it matters
Dawn highlighted that the strike occurs amidst escalating regional violence following the end of a UN-brokered ceasefire in Yemen. Houthi forces had previously claimed strikes on the airport on Thursday that killed three people and damaged an aircraft, though they issued no formal claim for Saturday's attack. The assault coincides with reported ground advances by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 10, 2026 · Photo by Ameer Albahouth on Unsplash