A missile strike hit the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 309 others, according to Saudi authorities. The attack, attributed to the Yemen-based Houthis, targeted a key transportation hub and caused significant disruption. The Saudi government confirmed the casualties and described the incident as a deliberate act of aggression.
The attack followed a series of escalating tensions in the region. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been engaged in a long-standing conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies. This latest strike marks one of the deadliest attacks on Saudi soil in over a decade. A single civilian was among the fatalities, according to initial reports. The Saudi military has not yet confirmed the number of attackers involved.
The attack has intensified fears of further escalation. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has issued warnings to its personnel, restricting access to certain airports. American officials are now required to seek special permission to use the airports in Jeddah and Dammam, a measure already in place for Riyadh. The U.S. Government has expressed concern over the growing instability in the region.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has drawn in multiple international actors. Saudi Arabia, supported by a coalition of Arab nations, has been fighting the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people affected by the ongoing violence. This attack has raised new concerns about the potential for broader regional conflict.
