A series of violent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has left at least 13 people dead and over 300 injured since October 10, 2026. The strikes, attributed by the Saudi-led coalition to Houthi rebels, have forced flight suspensions and triggered security warnings from international aviation authorities.
Escalation at King Khalid International Airport
The security situation at the Saudi capital’s primary aviation hub deteriorated sharply over the weekend. On Saturday, October 10, a missile strike hit the terminal area during peak hours, resulting in 12 deaths and more than 300 injuries. According to regional officials, the projectile struck the complex housing terminals 3 and 4. This incident follows a broader campaign of aggression that began on October 6, when Houthi forces struck airports in Džízán and Nadžrán, resulting in material damage and minor injuries to three Saudi citizens.
The severity of the incident marks it as the most lethal attack in the Gulf region since the conflict with Iran escalated in late February 2026. Schools throughout Riyadh have shifted to remote learning for the remainder of the week in accordance with Ministry of Education directives, a measure implemented for the second time in a single month.
Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Airport Closures
The Saudi-led coalition, which supports the internationally recognized government in Yemen, has directly blamed Houthi rebels for the barrage. High-ranking Houthi official Nasr al-Dín Ámir confirmed the group’s responsibility for the airport closures via social media. The rebels have repeatedly warned airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi airspace, declaring it a military operations
zone. The group, which has been supported by Iran since seizing control of Sana’a in 2014, claims their actions are a direct retaliation for Saudi airstrikes that they contend have killed dozens of women and children.
The strikes are part of a broader campaign. Beyond the capital, Houthi forces have targeted facilities in Abha, Džízán, and Dammámu, as well as infrastructure belonging to Saudi Aramco. Pentagon officials have previously characterized the rapid advancement in Houthi technical capabilities as “shocking.”
Aviation Agencies Advise Against Flights in Saudi Airspace
In response to the violence, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) updated its list of high-risk zones, now advising against flights in both the southeast and northwest of the country. Several major carriers, including Lufthansa, Air India, and flydubai, have suspended services to Riyadh. The organization OPSGROUP, which represents thousands of aviation professionals, issued a memorandum recommending that airlines avoid Saudi airspace entirely, including the use of its airports as alternate landing sites.
While many airlines have grounded operations, flight tracking data shows that some carriers continue to operate in the region.
International Leaders Condemn Houthi Escalation
The attacks have drawn widespread international condemnation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, both labeled the strikes a serious escalation of the situation,
pinning the responsibility on Houthi fighters. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the violence on X as showing clear contempt for the lives of innocent civilians.
President Donald Trump described the attacks as a “terrible thing” and suggested that the United States might consider a more direct military response to the Houthi threat, although no specific operational timeline has been provided.
The regional instability has also impacted energy markets, with Brent crude prices spiking over 4% to exceed $105 per barrel. As the Saudi government attempts to position itself as a global hub for tourism and investment under the vision of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the vulnerability of its infrastructure poses a major hurdle. With the Houthi forces now capable of projecting power deep into the Saudi interior, the coalition faces a conflict that has proven difficult to resolve through purely military means.