RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s main international airport has killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, forcing the suspension of flights as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement intensifies its strikes against the kingdom.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was struck again on Sunday, October 11, 2026, when an unidentified projectile hit a passenger terminal, causing a fire and additional injuries, Saudi authorities said.
The latest attack followed a deadly explosion on Saturday that sent emergency vehicles rushing towards the airport and prompted the evacuation of travellers from parts of the facility.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation initially reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries from Saturday’s attack.
India’s embassy subsequently confirmed that an Indian national who had been wounded had died, raising the death toll to 13.
The dead included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and citizens of the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and India.
The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday’s strike and warned airlines, airport employees, and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace.
Emergency Crews Rush to Airport as Flights Are Cancelled
Witnesses described scenes of confusion following Saturday’s explosion, with injured travellers lying on the ground and emergency personnel responding to the airport.
More than a dozen ambulances were seen approaching the facility, according to Reuters.
One injured passenger said an object had travelled across the sky before part of the ceiling near a departure gate collapsed.
Hospitals received hundreds of wounded passengers and airport workers, some of whom were in critical condition.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed aircraft being diverted away from Riyadh, while other scheduled services were cancelled.
At one point, a helicopter was the only aircraft visible operating near the airport on the tracking platform.
King Khalid International Airport advised passengers to contact their airlines before travelling.
Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways cancelled multiple flights to and from the Saudi capital, while other carriers suspended services amid growing security concerns.
Air India, Flydubai, Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines were among the airlines affected by the restrictions.
Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended operations at the airport, with the closure continuing into Sunday.
Several foreign governments, including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada, warned their citizens to avoid the airport.
The American Embassy in Riyadh also issued a security advisory urging US nationals to stay away from the surrounding area.
Fresh Projectile Strikes Terminal on Sunday
The Saudi-led military coalition said Sunday’s attack involved an unidentified projectile that struck Terminal 4, igniting a fire.
Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, according to the coalition.
Civil aviation authorities confirmed additional injuries but did not immediately provide a casualty figure.
Officials said assessments of the damage were continuing.
The airport remained closed as investigators examined the latest incident.
The attacks followed two earlier strikes on the same facility during the preceding week, which killed four people and damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft parked at the airport.
The aircraft was not carrying passengers when it was damaged.
The series of attacks has disrupted commercial aviation at one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest international transport hubs.
Houthis Warn of More Attacks on Saudi Airports
The Houthis have declared Saudi airspace a military operating area and warned international airlines against flying into the kingdom.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group renewed its warning to aviation companies, airport workers, and passengers.
“We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions,” the Houthis said.
The movement’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack during a televised address.
He also said Houthi forces had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Aramco.
Saudi civil aviation authorities subsequently confirmed an attack on the Dammam airport.
The claims concerning the oil facilities had not been independently verified.
The Houthi-run foreign ministry threatened further military action unless Saudi Arabia ended its operations in Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition has accused the group of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and promised to respond.
Trump Considers American Military Involvement
US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis.
“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump told reporters on Saturday when asked whether American forces could participate.
He said his administration would evaluate the latest attack before making a decision.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the strikes, which included the death of an American citizen.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also denounced the attack, calling for an end to strikes targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The growing confrontation follows renewed fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and forces loyal to the internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
A ceasefire established in 2022 unravelled earlier this year, and hostilities have intensified following Houthi territorial advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
Saudi Arabia has supported military operations intended to reverse those gains, while Houthi forces have expanded attacks against Saudi airports, energy installations, and other infrastructure.
Energy Conference Proceeds Despite Airport Closure
The attacks have also disrupted travel ahead of major international energy and investment gatherings in Riyadh.
A five-day conference organised by WPC Energy opened on Sunday at a convention centre approximately 10 kilometres from the airport.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said the event would proceed despite the suspension of flights.
Some international officials were unable to travel as scheduled because of the disruption.
The government also suspended in-person classes at schools across Riyadh, moving teaching online until Thursday.
Saudi authorities had not announced when normal airport operations would resume.
