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Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport have killed 14 people and injured more than 300 in two consecutive strikes, prompting Saudi Arabia to vow a response as the attacks raise concerns over the security of civilian infrastructure and the risk of further escalation.

The first attack occurred on October 10, 2026, killing 13 people and injuring more than 300. A second attack on October 11 killed one person and injured 11 others when an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at the airport, causing a fire, according to Saudi authorities.

The attacks have heightened concerns over the safety of Saudi Arabia’s civilian aviation infrastructure and increased the prospect of further military action against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. The Saudi-led coalition has condemned the strikes and vowed a response, accusing the Houthis of escalating attacks against the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that Saturday’s attack caused extensive casualties among passengers and airport personnel. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene as authorities assessed the damage and carried out safety inspections.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al Maliki described the strike as a “full-fledged war crime,” accusing the attackers of deliberately targeting civilian facilities. The coalition has vowed to respond but has not publicly detailed the timing or scope of any military action.

🔴 Exclusive footage obtained by Al Arabiya English shows Umrah pilgrims preparing to board their flights as the Houthi attack struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. https://t.co/N2o6Wylf06

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 11, 2026

The situation deteriorated further on Sunday, October 11, when another unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, starting a fire. The Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed that one person was killed and 11 others were injured. The coalition said the relevant authorities were responding to the incident.

In a separate statement, the Saudi-led coalition announced that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile near the airport. Officials did not identify the missile’s origin or establish whether it was connected to the projectile that struck Terminal 4.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for missile attacks against Riyadh earlier in the week, including a strike on October 8. The latest incidents come amid a broader campaign of attacks against Saudi targets, although responsibility for individual strikes should be distinguished from the group’s claims regarding other attacks.

The repeated strikes have disrupted air travel, prompted security warnings from foreign diplomatic missions and increased pressure on Riyadh to strengthen its air defenses. U.S. President Donald Trump has also indicated that Washington is considering joining Saudi Arabia in military action against the Houthis.

Attacks on Saudi Airports

The latest incidents form part of a wider series of attacks against Saudi airports and aviation facilities. On October 8, strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport and a Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft reportedly killed three Saudi citizens and injured several other people, according to Saudi aviation authorities. The incidents also caused material damage to airport facilities and the aircraft.

Earlier attacks on October 6 and 7 targeted airports in Abha and Riyadh, killing three foreign residents of Moroccan, Algerian and Sudanese nationality and injuring 36 people, according to Saudi authorities.

A further projectile fell near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, on October 10, the Saudi-led coalition said. Authorities have not released complete details about that incident.

The attacks have raised concerns about the security of Saudi Arabia’s aviation network, including facilities used by international travelers and commercial airlines. King Khalid International Airport is the principal international airport serving Riyadh and a major gateway to the Saudi capital.

Several Gulf airlines have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh amid the deteriorating security situation. Foreign diplomatic missions have also issued warnings to their citizens. The U.S. Embassy has instructed its staff to obtain special authorization before using airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, while the UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals to avoid the Riyadh airport area until it is secure.

Schools in Riyadh have also switched to remote learning for the week, marking the second time in less than a month that authorities have taken such a measure.

The disruption comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to protect civilian infrastructure from increasingly frequent missile and drone attacks. The latest incidents have heightened the risk of a broader military response, particularly if further strikes target airports, energy facilities or other critical infrastructure.

International Reaction

The attacks have drawn condemnation from regional governments and international officials. Türkiye, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s international airport, describing them as a “dangerous escalation that cannot be justified or accepted under any pretext.”

The four countries said the attacks threatened regional security and stability and condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure. They also expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s security and its right to protect its territory and population from further attacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attacks and confirmed that an American citizen had been killed in the strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi Arabia in military action against the Houthis. Trump indicated that a decision could be made quickly, leaving open the possibility of direct U.S. involvement.

Any U.S. participation in further strikes against the Houthis could expand the confrontation beyond Yemen and increase the risk of retaliatory attacks against regional targets. The prospect of military action comes amid wider tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock over the attacks, describing them as violations of international law and calling for them to cease immediately. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes as a “heinous and cowardly attack,” while Egypt, Palestine and Qatar expressed concern over the targeting of civilian infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition has not announced the precise form or timing of its promised response. However, the latest attacks and the growing number of civilian casualties have increased pressure on Riyadh to strengthen its air defenses and consider further military measures against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis Conflict

The latest escalation is linked to Yemen’s long-running conflict between the internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, an armed political and religious movement that controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.

The Houthis emerged from Yemen’s Zaydi Shia Muslim community and receive support from Iran. The group presents itself as part of a broader regional movement opposing Israel, the United States, and their allies.

Saudi Arabia formed a military coalition in 2015 after the Houthis seized large parts of Yemen and advanced against the internationally recognized government. Years of airstrikes and ground fighting contributed to a major humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people dying from the direct and indirect consequences of the war.

A ceasefire brokered in 2022 reduced large-scale fighting but did not produce a comprehensive peace agreement. The truce subsequently weakened, while renewed clashes and attacks on strategic infrastructure increased the risk of a broader confrontation.

The Houthis have portrayed their latest attacks on Saudi Arabia as retaliation for Riyadh’s support for Yemeni government forces and what they describe as a prolonged blockade. They have also cited an airstrike on Sanaa airport, which is under their control, as justification for their campaign.

In July, the Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and began launching missiles and drones at Saudi airports, oil facilities and vessels in the Red Sea. The latest strikes suggest that the confrontation is increasingly threatening civilian and commercial infrastructure inside the kingdom, extending the risks beyond Yemen’s territory.

Red Sea Security and Wider Regional Risks

The escalation also threatens maritime security around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The strait is a key route for international trade, linking the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean with shipping lanes toward the Indian Ocean.

The Houthis have expanded their operations along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including around strategically important areas near the port of Mokha. Yemeni pro-government forces have said they secured the strait’s southern approaches, but continued missile and drone attacks remain a concern for regional shipping.

Any sustained disruption to the route could force commercial vessels to take longer journeys around Africa, increasing transportation costs and delivery times. The risk is particularly significant amid heightened tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The attacks on Saudi Arabia are unfolding amid concerns that Washington and Israel could resume strikes against Iran as efforts to negotiate an end to the wider conflict continue. The confrontation has shaken global markets and raised concerns about energy supplies and the security of major maritime routes.

Saudi Arabia now faces the immediate challenge of protecting its airports and other critical infrastructure while deciding how to respond to the repeated attacks. If Riyadh launches further military operations with direct U.S. support, the confrontation could widen, threatening regional stability and increasing the risks to civilian aviation, energy facilities and international shipping.