Major Houthi attack on Saudi airport kills at least 12, hundreds wounded

At least 12 individuals lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries when Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday. This marked the deadliest assault on the airport in over a decade, forcing its closure until at least Sunday and resulting in the cancellation of more than 600 flights.

The terminal building was targeted, leading to the deaths of four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, an American, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, a Palestinian, and a Sudanese. The attack also wounded 309 people. In response, US President Donald Trump indicated he was contemplating joining Saudi military strikes against the Houthis, despite previously declining Saudi requests for direct intervention.

Eyewitnesses reported observing a missile streaking across the sky and hearing an explosion before seeing numerous wounded individuals on the ground. Video footage showed debris scattered across the airport, and a dust-filled hall. Nasr al-Din Amer, a senior Houthi official, claimed responsibility on social media, writing, "We shut down Riyadh international airport."

Numerous countries, including the US, UK, Spain, and Canada, have advised their citizens to avoid using the airport. The incident has highlighted weaknesses in Saudi Arabia's defense as it continues its air campaign in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government, which is battling the Houthis on the ground. With Iranian assistance, the Houthis have amassed a substantial arsenal of missiles and drones, and they have issued a warning to airlines and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace.

The Houthis threatened to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for any failed attempts to intercept their missiles and pledged to escalate further.