At least 12 people have been killed and 309 others injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, prompting international condemnation and raising fears of further escalation in the conflict involving the country and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The attack occurred on Saturday, October 10, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, which confirmed the casualties on Sunday.
Reuters and Al Jazeera reported that the incident was the third attack on the airport within a week, amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
The fatalities included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, according to the civil aviation authority.
The authority said all 309 injured victims had been taken to hospitals for treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition.
The attack also damaged airport facilities, while authorities began assessing the extent of the destruction and its implications for airport operations.
Airport activities were temporarily suspended to allow security officials to assess the damage and establish the safety of the facilities, passengers and workers.
Saudi authorities and the Saudi-led coalition blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels for the attack. However, Reuters reported that the group had not claimed responsibility for the October 10 incident at the time of its report.
The latest strike followed two earlier attacks on the airport on Thursday, during which three Saudi nationals were reportedly killed and several others injured, according to the Saudi Gazette.
UN, international community condemn attack
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, expressing shock over the reported deaths and injuries.
In a statement published on Sunday, Guterres said, “Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately.”
The UN chief called for an immediate end to the attacks, warning against strikes targeting civilian populations and infrastructure.
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, also condemned the latest attack, describing the incident as a serious escalation with implications for regional security and efforts to end the conflict in Yemen.
“Such actions pose a serious threat to regional security, perpetuate cycles of violence and complicate even more peace efforts for Yemen,” Grundberg said in a statement issued on Sunday.
He called on the Houthi movement to halt the attacks and respect international humanitarian law, particularly provisions prohibiting attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The African Union Commission also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and extending condolences to the families of those killed.
The commission stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in accordance with international law.
The airport attack comes amid intensifying hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the latest incident adding to concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict and its consequences for regional stability.
