The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Sunday, October 11, 2026, that several people were injured in a new attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The authority stated that relevant parties are evaluating the damage and verifying the safety of facilities. According to a statement published on the "X" platform, the airport was attacked on October 11, resulting in injuries, with work ongoing in coordination with concerned parties to complete the damage assessment and verify facility safety.
Earlier on Sunday, Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, announced that an unknown projectile hit the terminal building of King Khalid International Airport's passenger terminal number 4, causing a fire that was immediately dealt with by authorities. The Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a "cruise missile" in the airport's vicinity, Al-Malki added. Meanwhile, Yahya Saree, military spokesperson for the Houthis, announced attacks targeting Riyadh and Dammam airports, as well as facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Aramco.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation had previously announced on Saturday that an attack resulted in 12 deaths and 309 injuries, including critical cases. The authority decided to temporarily suspend operational activities at the airport until the damage assessment was completed and facility safety was verified. Al-Malki held the Houthi group responsible for the attack, describing it as a war crime under international humanitarian law.
Al-Malki emphasized that the coalition forces' leadership would respond firmly and in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules. This incident is part of a series of attacks on Saudi airports in recent days. On October 6 and 7, attacks on Abha and King Khalid airports resulted in three deaths and 36 injuries. On Friday, the civil aviation authority reported three deaths in attacks targeting airport facilities and a Saudi Airlines plane.
The escalation coincides with intensified fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and government forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition. The attacks have raised concerns about the security of Saudi airports and the impact on civilian air travel. The Saudi authorities have not disclosed the full extent of the damage or the number of injuries.
The incident has sparked international concern, with the United States and other countries condemning the attacks. The Saudi government has urged the international community to take a firm stance against the Houthi group and its supporters. The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering, with thousands of civilians killed or injured.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation will continue to coordinate with relevant authorities to assess the damage and ensure the safety of airport facilities. The authority has not announced a timeline for resuming operations at King Khalid International Airport. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Saudi Arabia and the region.
Key points
- The attack on King Khalid International Airport resulted in several injuries and damage to facilities.
- The Saudi-led coalition has vowed to respond firmly to the attacks, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
- The incident is part of a series of attacks on Saudi airports in recent days, amid escalated fighting in Yemen.
