Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 12 and Injures More Than 300

A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, killed at least 12 people and injured 309 others on Saturday, 10 October. Foreign media report that several of the victims are in critical condition. Saudi authorities blame the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are backed by Iran, and have promised a firm response, so the incident could further escalate the regional conflict.

Victims and damage

According to Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation, the dead include four Saudi citizens and eight foreign nationals. Among them are two citizens of Bangladesh, as well as nationals of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. The injured were taken to several hospitals in Riyadh.

The missile hit the airport's passenger terminal and caused considerable damage. Airport operations were suspended after the attack, and airlines cancelled or rescheduled hundreds of flights. Several foreign embassies urged their citizens to avoid travelling to the airport or staying in its vicinity.

Repeated attacks

This was the third attack on Riyadh's international airport within a week. Earlier strikes killed four more people and damaged airport infrastructure and a passenger aircraft. It is one of the deadliest attacks in Saudi Arabia in recent years.

The conflict in Yemen has recently flared up again: forces backed by Saudi Arabia are trying to retake territory controlled by the Houthis, while the Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi airports and other strategic sites.

International reaction

US President Donald Trump called the attack terrible. He said Washington is considering joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also strongly condemned the attack, in which one American citizen died.