RismadarVoice Reporters
October 11, 2026
At least 12 people have reportedly been killed and more than 300 others injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Saudi civil aviation authorities were cited as reporting the casualties, while the Saudi-led coalition blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the attack and warned of a possible military response.
The reported fatalities included four Saudi nationals and citizens of Bangladesh, Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. Several injured persons were said to be receiving treatment in hospitals, with some reportedly in critical condition.
The attack has intensified concerns over civilian safety and aviation security as hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces continue.
US President Donald Trump reportedly said Washington was considering its response, including the possibility of joining Saudi Arabia in military operations against the Houthis.
Trump indicated that his administration would assess developments before making a decision and said he intended to discuss the incident with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reportedly condemned the attack, confirming that an American citizen was among those killed.
The Houthis had not immediately responded to the latest allegations. The group had previously accused Saudi forces of carrying out attacks on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen.
Following the Riyadh incident, airport operations were reportedly suspended, with flights diverted and security restrictions imposed around the facility.
Several international airlines, including Air India, flydubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines, were reported to have suspended some services amid concerns over the security situation.
Saudi Arabia’s national carrier also reportedly confirmed damage to an aircraft parked at the airport, although no passengers were aboard at the time.
The latest incident follows renewed hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces, reversing a period of relative calm that followed the 2022 truce in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought additional air defence assistance from international partners as concerns grow over the ability of armed groups to threaten major infrastructure and civilian aviation.
The situation has also raised questions about the potential consequences for regional trade, energy supplies and international air travel.
Meanwhile, the United States military separately reported disabling a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after alleging that it ignored repeated warnings. The vessel’s crew was reportedly unharmed.
Despite the military escalation, Saudi Arabia and Oman have continued to emphasise diplomatic engagement as a means of reducing regional tensions.
The circumstances of the Riyadh airport attack, responsibility for the incident and the reported casualty figures remain subject to independent verification.
