A missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring 309, according to Saudi authorities. The attack, the deadliest on Saudi soil in over a decade, targeted the airport’s infrastructure and caused widespread flight disruptions. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties, noting four Saudi citizens and eight foreign residents were among the dead.
The Houthi group, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating their jets targeted sites, fighters, and vehicles in Yemen. The group also warned airlines, travelers, and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports. The attack followed a series of clashes between the Houthis and Saudi forces, with both sides exchanging strikes on major airports.
The UN and EU condemned the attack, calling for restraint. President Trump warned the US may join Saudi Arabia in retaliatory strikes against the Houthis. The attack highlights the escalating conflict between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis targeting the kingdom’s strategic interests.
The conflict, rooted in Yemen’s civil war, has seen the Houthis challenge Saudi-led military operations. The recent attack underscores the asymmetrical nature of the conflict, with the Houthis using missile strikes to disrupt Saudi infrastructure. The situation remains volatile, with both sides continuing to escalate hostilities.
