Rampage In Riyadh: Deadly Houthi Attack At Saudi Airport Kills 12 People, Leaves 300 Injured

Last Updated:October 11, 2026, 04:36 IST

The strike triggered massive blasts across the domestic terminal area, sending thick plumes of black smoke over the capital

Witnesses inside the terminal described scenes of utter panic as projectile impacts shattered glass panels and caused structural collapses across departure areas. Image/AP

A major strike targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has left 12 people dead and over 300 injured, marking one of the most severe aerial escalations directed at Saudi aviation infrastructure in recent years. The strike triggered massive blasts across the domestic terminal area, sending thick plumes of black smoke over the capital and causing severe structural damage near passenger boarding gates.

Emergency medical services were deployed en masse to transport victims to regional medical facilities. Civil aviation authorities confirmed that flight operations at the kingdom’s busiest transit hub were immediately suspended while security forces secured the perimeter and cleared falling debris.

Sudden Terminal Explosion and Chaos

Witnesses inside the terminal described scenes of utter panic as projectile impacts shattered glass panels and caused structural collapses across departure areas. Passengers waiting at adjacent gates reported hearing massive detonations followed by shockwaves that sent shrapnel flying through crowded seating zones.

Shattered glass and flying metal accounted for a majority of the casualties, with doctors treating numerous passengers and airport staff for deep lacerations and trauma. Security teams quickly evacuated thousands of travellers to lower-level concourses and surrounding parking structures to mitigate further risk.

Regional Escalation and Claims of Responsibility

The attack follows a series of cross-border long-range missile and drone strikes targeting key infrastructure across the region. Representatives from Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for launching heavy barrage attacks, framing the offensive as retaliation for ongoing military operations along strategic coastal corridors.

The assault comes amid heightened geopolitical volatility and intense fighting over vital maritime transit routes, including the Bab al-Mandab strait. Defence analysts note that the deployment of heavy ballistic capabilities against civilian transit hubs represents a sharp escalation in regional warfare tactics.

International Reaction and Emergency Response

In the immediate aftermath, regional allies and global powers strongly condemned the targeting of international civilian infrastructure. International leaders expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, with discussions quickly turning towards potential defence evaluations and retaliation frameworks to safeguard regional airspace.

Saudi security forces have heightened alert levels across all major airports, energy installations, and urban centres. Engineering and bomb disposal teams continue inspecting the facility grounds to evaluate structural safety and clear unexploded ordnance before permitting any partial resumption of air traffic.

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What damage and casualties were reported following the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport?

The missile and drone strike targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh left 12 people dead and over 300 injured, while causing massive structural damage near the domestic terminal’s passenger boarding gates and departure areas.

Who claimed responsibility for the airport strike in Riyadh and what was their stated justification?

Representatives from Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the heavy barrage attacks, framing the offensive as retaliation for ongoing military operations along strategic coastal corridors.

How did civil aviation and international authorities respond immediately following the attack?

Civil aviation authorities immediately suspended flight operations at the airport while security forces cleared falling debris and secured the perimeter, with regional allies and global powers strongly condemning the strike.

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Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More

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