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Riyadh Airport Attacked Again Leaving Several Injured and Flights Suspended

Reported by Danish Ansari (Fact-Checker) · Al Jazeera ·

Verified — Confirmed by a second source: The Hindu

Confirmed by a second source: The Hindu

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TrendingRiyadh Airport Attacked Again Leaving Several Injured and Flights Suspended
Representative image · Openverse - wikimedia

What Happened

King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh was attacked on Saturday, leaving several people injured and prompting a temporary suspension of all flight operations. A missile struck a complex housing terminals three and four for domestic flights, and emergency ambulances rushed to the scene as authorities evacuated the area and blocked all entrances. The General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that officials were actively assessing the total damage and the exact number of wounded people. This incident follows a previous attack on Thursday that killed at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot.

International Reaction

United States President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House that the U.S. might join Saudi strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, stating that officials were evaluating the recent attack to make a fast decision. Foreign embassies in Riyadh, including those representing the United States, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Germany, and Australia, issued urgent security advisories instructing their citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas entirely. Meanwhile, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack as a direct threat to regional security, while Jordan, Oman, and Japan also expressed solidarity and condemnation.

Context

These airport strikes occur as part of an ongoing conflict involving Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group, which is currently fighting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Saudi Arabia remains a major global oil exporter, and escalating regional hostilities have begun to rattle international markets and shipping routes. Foreign governments regularly issue travel advisories during such security crises to protect their citizens abroad.

ExplainerWhy this matters

What Happened

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh suffered a missile strike hitting its domestic terminals, leading to injuries, evacuations, and suspended flight operations.

Why It Matters

The attacks highlight a sharp escalation in regional warfare involving the Iran-backed Houthi movement and a Saudi-led coalition. Because Saudi Arabia is a top global oil exporter, strikes on its critical aviation and energy infrastructure threaten global markets, regional stability, and international shipping lanes.

What Happens Next

Observers are watching to see if the United States formally joins Saudi military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Meanwhile, foreign embassies continue to monitor security conditions while airlines adjust flight routes and schedules.

Read more at Al Jazeera →