An attack targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh around 3:00 pm, killing at least 12 people and leaving 309 others wounded, according to Dawn. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authorities temporarily suspended airport operations to conduct safety checks and evaluate facility damage, while incoming flights were diverted to Jeddah and hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed.

What happened

A diplomatic source cited in the report attributed the strike to a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing panicked crowds fleeing the domestic terminal. The severity of the casualties prompted health officials in Riyadh to initiate a rare mass emergency call-up, directing emergency room doctors to report to regional hospitals immediately. Several of those injured were pilgrims traveling to Makkah, with some victims remaining in critical condition.

Key facts

  • The fatalities include four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan.
  • Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki called the strike a cowardly terrorist attack and a war crime targeting civilians.
  • US President Donald Trump indicated that the United States might join Saudi military strikes against the Houthis, describing the incident as unacceptable.
  • The embassies of the US, Germany, Canada, and Spain urged their citizens to stay away from the Riyadh airport.
  • Flightradar24 recorded 155 arrival cancellations, 161 departure cancellations, and 222 flight delays during the operational shutdown.
  • Further details regarding the full extent of financial and structural damage were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, the attack comes amid renewed hostilities following the breakdown of a four-year, UN-brokered truce in July. Both Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces have demonstrated a willingness to maintain military engagements rather than pursue diplomatic solutions. Additionally, Yemeni government forces supported by the coalition have mounted a counter-offensive to regain control over areas along the Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital maritime passage for Red Sea energy and cargo transport.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 11, 2026 · Photo by Emily Schultz on Unsplash