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Deadly missile strike on Riyadh airport kills 12 and injures hundreds
Reported by Vivek Joshi (Copy Editor) · Business Standard - Top Stories ·
Reported by one source so far
A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured over 300 others on Saturday afternoon. A regional official said the missile hit a complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights. Civil aviation authorities reported that some of the injured are in critical condition and receiving treatment at several hospitals.
Casualties And Reactions
The dead include four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, and a Sudanese. A Saudi-led coalition blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen for the attack, calling it a fully-fledged war crime and vowing a firm response. President Donald Trump stated that he was evaluating whether the United States should join Saudi strikes against the rebels. Meanwhile, the rebels accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport earlier on Saturday.
Airport Shutdown And Markets
Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended airport operations following the attack. Flightradar24 showed that flights were diverted elsewhere, while countries including the US, Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada warned citizens to avoid the airport. The attacks have rattled markets and the region, though the Saudi energy ministry still promoted a major international energy conference scheduled to begin in Riyadh on Sunday.
Background
The conflict intensified after a 2022 ceasefire ended in July when the Houthis resumed attacks, and a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive. Regional officials noted that Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt to deploy air defense support. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines are among the carriers that suspended flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports.
Context
Civilian airports and international aviation infrastructure are strictly protected under international law, making attacks on them a major escalation in regional conflicts. The wider confrontation involves multiple regional powers and armed groups competing for influence across vital Middle Eastern trade and energy corridors. This latest violence threatens global supply chains and commercial air travel across the entire Gulf region.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
A missile struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 12 people and injuring over 300, marking the deadliest attack in a Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war.
Why It Matters
The escalation severely impacts international aviation safety, regional security, and global energy markets. With the world's top oil exporter facing direct strikes on its capital and vital infrastructure, traditional deterrence strategies are failing, drawing major powers like the United States closer to direct military involvement.
What Happens Next
Saudi Arabia is expected to increase pressure on international allies for military and air defense support while evaluating a firm military response through its coalition. Global airlines will likely maintain extended flight suspensions over Saudi airspace as security assessments evolve.
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