12 Killed, 309 Injured In Houthi Attack On Riyadh Airport; Trump Weighs US Response

A missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and injured 309 on Saturday, according to Saudi authorities, in the third strike on the airport within a week. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran and have been in control of Sanaa, the capital, since a 1994 rebellion forced the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, took credit for the assault.

Four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi citizens and one national from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt were among the victims. Ambulances and helicopters brought in injured people to hospitals, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition.

US President Donald Trump has called the situation “terrible” and has stated Washington is discussing what it can do, including perhaps entering Saudi Arabia's military campaign against the Houthis.

Riyadh Airport Suspends Operations, Flights Diverted

The attack forced the temporary suspension of airport operations, while flights bound for Riyadh were cancelled or diverted, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said.

The airport serves the Saudi capital, a city with a population of around eight million. Flight-tracking data showed widespread disruption, with aircraft unable to land as authorities responded to the emergency.

According to eyewitness accounts cited in reports, an explosion was followed by scenes of injured passengers inside the airport. One traveller told Reuters that an object had been seen moving across the sky before part of the ceiling near a departure gate collapsed.

The US Embassy in Riyadh warned American citizens to stay away from the airport and surrounding areas, citing reports of attacks.

The strike reportedly occurred without an advance warning from Saudi Arabia’s threat-alert system, raising questions about the effectiveness of the kingdom’s air defences.

The two earlier attacks on King Khalid International Airport during the same week had killed four people and caused extensive damage to a Saudi commercial aircraft parked on the tarmac.

Trump Considers Possible US Involvement

Trump added that the United States may want to get involved in Saudi Arabia's efforts against the Houthis but hasn't made a decision.

Washington's response came when he was asked if he would join the strikes, saying he had only just been informed of the latest attack and he would evaluate his response.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condemnation of the attacks, saying one of those killed was an American citizen.

The strikes showed an indifference towards the lives of civilians, Rubio said, and urged an end to them.

The latest violence has intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia as it conducts an air campaign against Houthi-controlled territory in support of a ground offensive by Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government have reported hundreds of strikes against Houthi positions. The rebels, however, have alleged that these operations have killed civilians, including women and children. Reuters said it could not independently verify those claims.

Yemen Conflict Intensifies As Truce Unravels

Saudi Arabia became directly involved in Yemen’s civil war in 2015, leading a coalition that sought to drive the Houthis out of the capital, Sanaa, which the rebels had captured the previous year.

Years of fighting and famine caused widespread devastation and killed hundreds of thousands of people. An agreement reached between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in 2022 helped reduce hostilities.

However, the ceasefire has since come under increasing strain, with renewed fighting and territorial advances by the Houthis contributing to a fresh escalation.

The strategic Bab el-Mandeb waterway, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, has become a key focus of the conflict. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a new offensive this week to regain territory, while the Houthis have reportedly placed the city of Taiz under siege.

The latest airport attack has raised concerns that the conflict could expand further, potentially drawing additional countries into the confrontation.

Riyadh Conferences To Continue Despite Security Concerns

The attacks have disrupted travel to Riyadh shortly before the Saudi capital is scheduled to host major energy and investment conferences.

Several airlines had already suspended or cancelled flights following earlier strikes on the airport. Despite the latest incident, organisers said the upcoming events would proceed as planned and sought to reassure participants about security arrangements.

The attack has nevertheless raised fresh concerns over airport safety, Saudi Arabia’s defensive capabilities and the potential consequences of further military escalation.

With Washington weighing its response and Saudi Arabia facing repeated attacks, the situation could become a significant turning point in the wider Yemen conflict.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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