Saudi Arabia Blames Houthis After Deadly Riyadh Airport Attack

Saudi civil aviation authorities reported that a Saturday attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured 309. The authorities said airport operations were suspended. Saudi authorities and the Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthis for the attack, but the Houthis did not claim responsibility. Yahya Saree, speaking for the Houthis, described Saudi airports and airspace as potential targets and a theatre for the group’s operations, except for airports in Mecca and Medina. He also asserted that Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for failed interceptions.

Saudi civil aviation authorities said airport operations were suspended after the attack, flights were diverted or cancelled, and airlines suspended services to Riyadh. FlightAware reported that 324 flights into or out of King Khalid International Airport were cancelled on Saturday. Saudi civil aviation authorities later extended the closure until at least 9 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Riyadh schools shifted to remote learning after the attack, Saudi authorities said.

The United States and other foreign governments increased security and issued travel warnings following the airport disruption and security risks after the strike.

Reuters reported that Gulf markets fell following the attack, with Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index closing 0.2% lower.

Separately, BBC News analysis said attacks on Saudi and Red Sea infrastructure threaten global transport, energy markets and maritime navigation.

Strike account and responses

NPR cited an unnamed regional official who said a missile struck an airport complex containing Terminals 3 and 4, which handle domestic flights.

“a full-fledged war crime”

Al-Maliki promised a decisive response. The coalition said its condemnation was based on reported deaths and injuries among civilian passengers and airport staff, and on its position that the airport has no military facilities.

The Houthis had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on King Khalid International Airport during the same week. Those attacks killed three Saudis, including a pilot.

The attack came as fighting involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis intensified after the collapse of a United Nations-brokered ceasefire that had largely been in place since 2022.

Military support and prospects

NPR, citing unnamed officials, reported that the United States has provided Saudi Arabia with intelligence sharing, target identification and planning assistance for Saudi Arabia’s latest offensive against the Houthis.

Britain is providing Saudi Arabia with air-to-air refuelling and defensive military support but is not currently participating in offensive operations, Wes Streeting said.

Separately, Streeting called the airport attack a contemptible and dangerous escalation. He described it as part of an increasing pattern of Houthi attacks on civilian sites and said such attacks could not be justified.

Streeting said the British government believes there is no military solution to the Yemen conflict. He noted that a truce had existed previously and argued that diplomacy was the only long-term path.

In an analysis, Fawaz Gerges doubted that a military solution was possible, arguing that the Houthis were determined to fight to the end and that the United States had previously failed to force them to stand down.

Possible escalation

Donald Trump said the United States may join Saudi military action against the Houthis and would decide quickly after reviewing the situation. He said the administration had only just learned of the attack.

Marco Rubio said an American citizen was among those killed.

In a forecast, Dania Thafer said Saudi Arabia was likely to retaliate forcefully while still seeking to avoid a long-term escalation. She argued that Houthi threats to Saudi national security and international maritime security make de-escalation difficult despite Saudi preferences.

BBC News analysis forecasts further escalation followed by another fragile truce, potentially without the United States joining Saudi military action. BBC cited the Houthis’ ability to hit Saudi infrastructure, risks to shipping and US political reluctance to enter another regional war before midterm elections as reasons for that forecast, while whether the United States joins Saudi military action remains unresolved.