Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 11, 2026
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
The attack caused damage to the airport and prompted authorities to suspend operations while emergency personnel responded and officials assessed the damage and safety of the facilities. The closure disrupted air travel, with passengers advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information.
According to Saudi authorities, the victims included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and citizens of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, with some requiring critical care.
Houthis blamed for the attack
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen blamed the Houthis for the strike and said it would respond. The group had not publicly claimed responsibility for the latest attack at the time of reporting. The incident followed other attacks on the airport earlier in the week.
The escalation comes amid renewed fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis following the breakdown of a period of relative calm in Yemen. The conflict has increasingly affected civilian infrastructure and aviation across the region.
International response and flight disruptions
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis. U.S. officials also advised American citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas.
Airport authorities continued assessing the damage as the closure disrupted scheduled flights. Airlines and passengers faced uncertainty over when normal operations would resume.
The casualty figures and damage assessments remain subject to official updates. The attack adds to escalating regional tensions and raises further concerns about civilian safety and the security of commercial aviation.
