A missile strike on Riyadh's international airport has resulted in 12 deaths and hundreds of injuries, prompting a suspension of operations and international warnings.
Key facts
- •At least 12 people died and 309 were injured in the strike on King Khalid International Airport.
- •Casualties included citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the U.S., Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt.
- •Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned travelers and staff to stay away from Saudi airports.
- •The Saudi-led coalition reported a separate projectile landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam hours after the Riyadh attack.
- •The Irish Embassy in Riyadh is providing consular assistance to an injured Irish citizen.
At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition attributed the attack to the Iran-backed Houthi group, labeling the incident a war crime. Following the strike, airport operations were suspended, and authorities initiated a mass call-up of medical personnel to manage the emergency.
By the numbers
Casualties and International Impact
The victims included four Saudi citizens, two people from Bangladesh, and one person each from the U.S., Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. An Irish citizen was among the 309 individuals reported injured. The attack, described by a diplomatic source as a missile strike, hit the airport's domestic terminal, causing significant disruption and panic among passengers.
Houthi Threats and Regional Escalation
Following the attack, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree warned airlines, travelers, and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports, declaring the kingdom's airspace a theater of operations. While the Houthis did not immediately claim the Saturday strike, they have continued to issue threats against Saudi aviation infrastructure. The Saudi-led coalition has vowed a decisive response to the aggression.
Global Response and Airport Status
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizing the violence. Multiple nations, including the U.S., Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada, have advised citizens to avoid the airport. Riyadh schools have moved to online learning as the airport remains closed and flights are diverted.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by RTE News, CBS News World.
