Riyadh airport attack: Death toll, flight disruption and US response

An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in 12 deaths and 309 injuries, according to Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority. The Saudi-led coalition accused Iran-backed Houthis of the strike and vowed a strong response. The airport temporarily suspended operations, forcing schools in the city to shift to distance learning for a week and triggering warnings from several foreign embassies.

Four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and five other individuals from various countries were among the casualties. A missile is believed to have caused the damage, targeting terminals 3 and 4, which handle domestic flights. Eyewitnesses reported witnessing the strike and the chaotic aftermath. The attack is described as one of the deadliest on Saudi soil since May 2015, when a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Qatif killed 21 worshippers.

The Saudi-led coalition characterized the assault as a "full-fledged war crime," while the Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility. US President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of joining the Saudi military action, and several embassies, including those of the US, Canada, Germany, and Spain, cautioned their citizens to avoid the airport.

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a security alert, warning of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia announced flight cancellations and schedule changes for routes between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic leaders from various nations, including Pakistan, India, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt, condemned the Houthi attack and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.