{"id":170,"date":"2026-10-11T20:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T20:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/11\/houthi-strike-on-riyadh-airport-kills-12-injures-309-as-saudi-arabia-vows-retaliation\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T20:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T20:48:11","slug":"houthi-strike-on-riyadh-airport-kills-12-injures-309-as-saudi-arabia-vows-retaliation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/11\/houthi-strike-on-riyadh-airport-kills-12-injures-309-as-saudi-arabia-vows-retaliation\/","title":{"rendered":"Houthi strike on Riyadh Airport kills 12, injures 309 as Saudi Arabia vows retaliation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killed 12 people and injured 309 others, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to threaten a decisive response against Yemen\u2019s Ansar Allah rebels (popularly called the Houthis) amid escalating regional tensions.<\/p>\n

Al Jazeera reports that the Sunday attack was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.<\/p>\n

The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the attack, describing it as a \u201cfull-fledged war crime\u201d because of the deaths and injuries among civilian passengers and airport personnel.<\/p>\n

The strike comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen\u2019s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. The escalation has heightened concerns about a wider regional conflict, particularly after US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington could consider joining military action against the group.<\/p>\n

Passengers flee as airport is hit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Witnesses described scenes of panic at the airport following the strike, with passengers running for safety as people were injured.<\/p>\n

One passenger told AFP that they were at Gate 403 when the adjacent Gate 401 area was hit.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI saw 401 hit, I saw injured in front of my eyes. Everyone was running,\u201d the witness said.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia\u2019s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the fatalities included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.<\/p>\n

Airport operations were suspended following the incident, while authorities began assessing the damage.<\/p>\n

The scale of the casualties also prompted health officials to mobilise additional medical personnel to respond to what a medical source described as a serious emergency.<\/p>\n

Two doctors told AFP that some of the injured were pilgrims travelling to Mecca.<\/p>\n

Houthis warn airlines against using Saudi airports<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Following the attack, the Houthis renewed their warning to airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Saudi airports.<\/p>\n

The group urged those concerned to take its warning seriously and said Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for what it described as failed interception efforts.<\/p>\n

The warning signals the possibility of further attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure as hostilities intensify between the group and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces.<\/p>\n

The renewed violence follows the breakdown of a United Nations-brokered truce that had helped keep large-scale fighting largely contained since 2022.<\/p>\n

The latest developments threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts to end Yemen\u2019s prolonged conflict, which has caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia faces pressure to retaliate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Saudi-led coalition has vowed a decisive response to the airport attack, raising the prospect of further military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen.<\/p>\n

Dania Thafer, executive director of the Gulf International Forum, said Saudi Arabia would likely respond forcefully but suggested that Riyadh would prefer to avoid a prolonged escalation.<\/p>\n

She said the Houthis\u2019 actions posed challenges not only to Saudi national security but also to international maritime security.<\/p>\n

The conflict, she argued, had expanded beyond a series of retaliatory attacks, with implications for regional stability and international shipping.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia has previously led a military coalition against the Houthis, intervening in Yemen\u2019s civil war in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.<\/p>\n

Trump considers possible US military involvement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The attack has also raised questions about the extent of possible US involvement in the conflict.<\/p>\n

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering whether to join military action against the Houthis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may. We\u2019re going to look at it,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n

The US president also said he intended to speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing the airport attack as \u201cnot acceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to media reports cited in the coverage, the United States has provided intelligence-sharing, target-identification and planning assistance for the latest Saudi-backed offensive.<\/p>\n

Washington previously supported the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen with intelligence, logistical assistance and weapons, although it did not directly participate in the coalition\u2019s air strikes during the initial intervention.<\/p>\n

In 2021, however, the administration of former US President Joe Biden ended support for the Saudi-led offensive, citing the devastating humanitarian consequences of the war.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO: :Hajj: Saudi Crown Prince seeks end to Israeli aggression in Gaza<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yemen conflict threatens wider regional stability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The airport strike underscores the risk that renewed fighting in Yemen could develop into a broader confrontation involving regional and international powers.<\/p>\n

The Houthis have maintained their opposition to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and have repeatedly threatened targets they consider linked to their adversaries.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, faces pressure to protect its territory and critical infrastructure while avoiding a return to a prolonged military campaign.<\/p>\n

With Washington considering its next steps and the Saudi-led coalition threatening retaliation, the latest attack could further complicate efforts to restore a lasting ceasefire and secure a political settlement to Yemen\u2019s conflict.<\/p>\n

The escalation also raises concerns about the security of civilian aviation and international maritime routes, both of which could be affected if the hostilities spread beyond Yemen\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

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