Houthi Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport: 12 Dead, 309 Injured
A devastating Houthi missile strike on Riyadh airport on Saturday, October 10, 2026, has left 12 people dead and 309 others injured, sending shockwaves through the Middle East. The ballistic missile hit King Khalid International Airport, specifically targeting housing terminals 3 and 4, which are used for domestic flights.
Chaos and Casualties at King Khalid International
Witnesses at the scene described a terrifying sequence of explosions and intense fires. Dozens of ambulances rushed to the airport to treat the hundreds of wounded. Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed that the victims represent a wide range of nationalities, including:
- Four Saudi citizens
- Two Bangladeshis
- One American
- One Egyptian
- One Jordanian
- One Syrian
- One Palestinian
- One Sudanese
Massive Flight Disruptions and Economic Impact
The attack has paralyzed air travel in the region. Airport operations were suspended and are not expected to resume until at least early Monday. This shutdown has forced major carriers, including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Kuwait Airways, to cancel hundreds of flights.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the strike has caused a spike in global oil prices and raised serious concerns regarding the safety of the migrant workforce across the Gulf. In Riyadh, authorities have transitioned schools to remote learning for one week as a security precaution.
Houthi Claims and Global Condemnation
The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the strike, stating it was part of an "airport for airport" policy. They issued a warning against the use of Saudi airspace, with the sole exception of Makkah and Madinah. Reports also indicated that further projectiles were launched near Al-Kharj and Dammam airport.
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki condemned the strike as a war crime and vowed a decisive response.
The international community has reacted swiftly. U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as "unacceptable," suggesting that Washington may join Saudi military actions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the death of an American citizen and called for an immediate end to hostilities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the targeting of civilians.
Regional nations, including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, France, and Canada, issued statements condemning the attack and expressing support for Saudi security. Jordan specifically noted that one of its citizens was killed and four others were injured in the strike.