At least 12 people were killed and 309 others wounded after an attack struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, marking the deadliest strike on Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. The incident comes amid an escalating offensive launched by the Houthi movement earlier this summer.
Deadliest Strike in a Decade Hits King Khalid International
The strike, which occurred without warning, was the third attack directed at Riyadh’s international airport in the span of a single week. Saudi civil aviation authorities reported that the fatalities included four Saudi nationals, two individuals from Bangladesh, and one citizen each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt.
Official tallies confirmed that at least 309 people sustained injuries. Local hospitals were rapidly inundated as victims arrived via ambulances and emergency helicopters, with several patients reported to be in critical condition. Authorities earlier in the day moved to suspend flight operations across the sprawling airport complex as emergency teams responded to the casualties.
Coalition Labels Missile Attack a War Crime
The Saudi-led coalition directly blamed the Houthi group for the bombardment of King Khalid International Airport, characterizing the action as a full-fledged war crime and vowing to deliver a decisive response. While aviation officials initially confirmed that an attack had damaged the facility and injured multiple civilians, a diplomatic source stated that the damage was caused by a missile fired by the group.
The flare-up is part of a broader conflict that expanded following the war launched against Iran by the United States and Israel in February. In Washington, President Donald Trump stated that the United States is currently considering joining Saudi military strikes against the Houthis in response to the escalating cross-border hostility.
Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Saudi Security
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement strongly condemning the Houthi attack on the civilian aviation facility. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to the security and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The latest assault marks a severe escalation in the ongoing campaign by the Houthis, placing commercial aviation hubs and regional security arrangements under mounting strain as regional allies weigh coordinated responses.
