Second Houthi Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills One, Injures 11
All flight from Pakistan to Riyadh has been cancelled amid rising tensions in the Saudi capital
RIYADH: One person has been killed and 11 others injured in a second consecutive strike on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, as Houthi attacks intensify across the kingdom.
All flight from Pakistan to Riyadh has been cancelled amid rising tensions in the Saudi capital following a series of reported attacks on King Khalid International Airport. The cancellation has raised concerns among passengers as the security situation in the region continues to deteriorate.
Saudi authorities said on Sunday that a projectile struck Passenger Hall No. 4 at the airport, triggering a fire. The Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed that the person killed was a Pakistani resident, while emergency teams responded to the incident.
The latest attack came a day after another strike on the airport reportedly killed 13 people and injured 308 others, making it one of the deadliest attacks on a Gulf Arab country since the war involving Israel, the United States and Iran began in February.
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it had launched ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, against targets across Saudi Arabia during the previous 24 hours. The group also claimed strikes on oil facilities and Dammam airport in the kingdom’s eastern region.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned that the group would continue its escalating operations inside Saudi Arabia. He said Saudi airports could be targeted, with the exception of those serving the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and urged airlines and passengers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace.
Saudi military coalition spokesman
Saudi military coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said air defence systems had intercepted a missile near Riyadh airport. Authorities were also investigating the projectile that struck the passenger hall and caused the fire.
The Saudi-led coalition condemned the previous day’s attack as a “war crime” and vowed to respond. According to Saudi civil aviation authorities, the victims of Saturday’s strike included citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt. India’s embassy also confirmed that an Indian national had died from injuries sustained in the attack.
The growing violence has prompted international concern. US President Donald Trump said Washington would make a decision on possible military action against the Houthis and would move quickly. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting indicated that Britain could potentially provide additional support to Saudi Arabia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks and confirmed that an American citizen had been killed. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also expressed his shock over the incidents.
Meanwhile, Houthi-run Al Masirah television reported that Saudi forces had launched an air strike on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen’s capital. The outlet also reported that a residential building in the city had been hit, killing a child and injuring six people. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed these reported strikes, and the BBC said it could not independently verify the claims.
Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, vice-president of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, called on regional and international partners to take decisive action in response to the escalating situation.
The latest attacks follow a series of deadly incidents targeting Saudi airports, including strikes on Riyadh and Abha. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for an attack on Riyadh airport on Thursday that reportedly killed three Saudi nationals.
The escalation comes amid renewed hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire brokered in 2022. Fighting has intensified over control of strategic areas in Yemen, including parts of the Red Sea coast.
The Houthis currently control roughly a quarter of Yemen’s territory, where a large majority of the country’s population lives. Saudi Arabia has long viewed the Iran-backed movement as a security threat along its southern border.
In a separate diplomatic development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Saudi counterpart on Sunday that Tehran was prepared to assist in facilitating dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, referring to the Houthi administration.
With attacks continuing and regional powers considering their next steps, concerns are mounting that the renewed violence could further destabilise the region and threaten civilian aviation and critical infrastructure.
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