At Least 12 Killed, Over 300 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has left at least 12 people dead and over 300 injured, with Yemen's Houthis blamed for the strike.
At least 12 people have been killed and 309 injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Local authorities confirmed the casualties, stating that the deceased included four Saudi nationals, two from Bangladesh, and one each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Following the incident, all operations at the airport were suspended.
The Saudi-led military coalition quickly attributed the attack to Yemen's Houthi rebels, labeling it a "war crime" and vowing to retaliate. While the Houthis have not commented on this latest strike, they previously claimed responsibility for separate attacks on the same airport on Thursday, which resulted in three deaths and damage to an aircraft.
Highlights
- An attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport resulted in 12 fatalities and 309 injuries.
- Saudi and US officials have blamed Yemen's Houthi rebels for the assault.
- Victims include nationals from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt.
- All airport operations were halted, with flights either cancelled or diverted.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, confirming an American citizen was among the dead.
Details
This attack comes amidst a recent escalation of fighting between Yemen's Saudi-backed government forces and the Houthis, who control much of the country. It marks the deadliest incident in the kingdom since May 2015. In addition to the Riyadh airport, a projectile also reportedly fell near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
The Saudi civil aviation authority indicated that some of the injured are in critical condition. An eyewitness in the domestic terminal reported seeing Gate 401 hit and "injured [people] in front of my eyes," with "everyone running." United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his "deep shock" at the attacks, calling them a "violation of international law" that "must cease immediately."
Why it matters
This attack underscores the escalating regional implications of the Yemeni civil war and highlights the severe threat posed to civilian targets within Saudi Arabia. It has the potential to further inflame tensions in the region, complicating international efforts to find a resolution to the conflict and potentially deepening instability. The impact on aviation security and civilian lives is a growing concern.