Houthi Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 12, Injures 309
A devastating ballistic missile strike, attributed to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, struck a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday afternoon, October 10, 2026. The attack has resulted in 12 fatalities and 309 injuries, marking the most lethal assault on the kingdom in more than a decade.
Chaos at the Terminal
Eyewitnesses at gate 403 described a scene of absolute chaos as the missile impacted a terminal area primarily used for domestic flights. Among those killed, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed a diverse group of nationalities, including:
- Four Saudi citizens
- Two Bangladeshi nationals
- One individual from the United States
- One individual from Egypt
- One individual from Jordan
- One individual from Syria
- One individual from Palestine
- One individual from Sudan
The wounded include several pilgrims who were in the process of traveling to Mecca. In the aftermath of the blast, regional hospitals immediately activated emergency protocols, with some of the most critically injured victims being airlifted to specialized medical facilities for treatment.
Massive Aviation Disruptions
The strike has paralyzed operations at one of the region's most vital transport hubs, which serves nearly 8 million residents. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued, suspending airport operations and extending the suspension until at least 21:00 GMT on Sunday.
The sudden closure forced several major carriers to cancel or divert their scheduled flights, including:
- Kuwait Airways
- Jazeera Airways
- Akasa Air (India)
Retaliation and Regional Tension
The Saudi-led coalition, represented by spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki, has officially condemned the strike, labeling it both a war crime and a terrorist attack. The coalition has promised a decisive response to the escalation.
This latest incident follows a pattern of increased aggression; two previous attacks were reported at KKIA earlier in the week, one of which claimed the lives of three people, including a Saudia pilot. The Houthis have framed these actions as part of an "airport for airport" campaign, intended to retaliate against government offensives in Yemen. Recent military reports indicate that government forces have successfully neutralized over 1,150 Houthi fighters during recent clashes.
Economic and Social Impact
The security crisis has had immediate repercussions across the kingdom. In Riyadh, schools have transitioned to remote learning for a period of one week to ensure student safety. The financial markets also reacted to the instability, with Saudi stocks, including the energy giant Aramco, falling by 1% on Sunday.
International Reaction
The global community has responded with widespread condemnation. The United Nations and the Arab League have issued statements, alongside nations such as the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and Syria.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as "terrible" and noted that Washington is currently evaluating potential involvement in coalition strikes against the Houthi forces. Meanwhile, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree issued a warning to travelers, advising them to avoid Saudi airspace and airports, with the sole exceptions of Mecca and Medina.