A missile struck a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing injuries and evacuations on Saturday. The attack is part of intensified assaults on the kingdom. Officials confirmed the missile hit the terminal, injuring multiple people, though they remained anonymous as they were not authorized to speak publicly. Ambulances were observed rushing to the scene.
Addressing the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States might support Saudi strikes on the Houthis. “We have now learned of the attacks, we will examine them and make decisions,” Trump explained.
Kuwait Airways canceled flights KU775 and KU776 due to the airport’s closure. They advised passengers to monitor their flight status and await updates via registered contact information or official channels. Similarly, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways suspended several flights to and from Riyadh, some until Monday. According to AirNav Radar, 266 flights were canceled and 219 delayed, with some diverted to Jeddah.
The recent attack continues a series of assaults on King Khalid International Airport amid rising tensions between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the Yemen-based, Iran-aligned Houthis. Previous strikes on the airport resulted in fatalities and damage, including Wednesday’s attack that killed a Sudanese national. Although the Houthis claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, they did not immediately claim Saturday’s incident.
The United States State Department has issued a Level 3 advisory for Saudi Arabia, cautioning against travel due to threats such as armed conflict and terrorist activities, particularly from Houthi rebels. The Yemen border region is listed at Level 4, warning of terrorism and recent missile attacks.
The Houthis, an Iran-supported faction, control large parts of northwestern Yemen and are engaged in ongoing conflict with the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia. Hostilities increased this year with Houthi missile and drone strikes against Saudi targets, while Saudi-supported forces fight for key Red Sea territories. Reports suggest the Houthis have warned airlines to steer clear of Saudi airspace, which they classify as a zone of military operations.
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