Houthi Missile Strikes on Riyadh Airport Kill 12 People

A series of missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, culminating in a devastating strike on October 10, 2026. The attack killed 12 to 13 people—including Saudi citizens and nationals from the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan—and injured 309 others. A subsequent projectile struck the airport on October 11, causing further fires. The assaults forced the temporary suspension of airport operations, the cancellation of hundreds of flights, and the shift of Riyadh schools to remote learning.

These strikes occurred amid a sharp escalation in the Yemeni conflict. The Saudi-led coalition launched Operation Dawn of Yemen, a massive offensive to recapture Sanaa and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. While Saudi and Yemeni forces claim to have regained control of the strait, the Houthis have declared Saudi airspace a military operations zone, warning airlines and travelers to avoid all Saudi airports except those in Mecca and Medina.

President Donald Trump condemned the attacks as not acceptable and stated the United States is evaluating whether to join Saudi military strikes against the Houthis. He also warned Iran against pre-election provocations ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. International condemnation followed from the United Nations, India, Pakistan, and the European Union, with many labeling the strikes as war crimes. Despite the security crisis, Saudi authorities confirmed that major international energy conferences scheduled for Riyadh this month will proceed.