A missile reportedly struck a passenger terminal at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, October 10, leaving several people injured and triggering an evacuation. Flights were diverted as authorities responded to the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, witnessed another security incident on Saturday after a missile reportedly hit a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport. According to two regional officials cited by The Associated Press (AP), several people were injured in the attack, prompting the airport to be evacuated.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident publicly. Ambulances were reportedly seen heading towards the airport following the strike.
The incident comes amid escalating regional tensions and a series of attacks targeting Saudi territory. Authorities had not immediately issued a detailed public statement regarding Saturday’s reported strike.
Airport Operations Disrupted After Attack
The reported missile strike caused significant disruption to air traffic at Riyadh airport. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 indicated that flights heading to the Saudi capital were being diverted to other destinations.
Kuwait Airways announced the cancellation of flights because of the airport’s closure. Meanwhile, Canada’s embassy advised its citizens to avoid travelling to the airport, citing ongoing military activity.
Passengers were also instructed through an airport alert to check their flight status with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport. According to FlightAware, at least 225 flights at the airport had been cancelled over the preceding 24 hours.
Riyadh Faces Repeated Attacks
King Khalid International Airport has reportedly been targeted multiple times in the week following a major military offensive by a Saudi-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
The Houthis had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, including an incident on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national. Two other Saudi citizens, including a pilot, were also reported killed in attacks during the same period.
However, there was no immediate statement from the Houthi group regarding Saturday’s reported missile strike. Saudi Arabia’s government-run Center for International Communication had also not immediately responded to requests for comment.
A Riyadh resident, Ahmed Sayed, told the Associated Press that he heard at least two loud explosions in the Saudi capital.
Conflict in Yemen Adds to Regional Security Concerns
The latest incident comes as fighting intensifies between Houthi rebels and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The Saudi-led coalition has been providing air support to government forces seeking to reverse recent Houthi advances along the Red Sea.
The rebels’ territorial gains have raised concerns about maritime security, particularly because the affected corridor serves as an important alternative shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis have previously warned that their actions are intended to target Saudi shipping in retaliation for a blockade imposed against them. Nevertheless, the possibility of attacks extending to additional targets has raised concerns among regional governments and international aviation authorities.
Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from the United States and other allies as attacks have affected airports, military installations and oil infrastructure. Officials have said that American assistance has included intelligence sharing, identifying targets and operational planning.
Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Safety Warnings
Several international airlines have suspended or adjusted services to Saudi Arabia amid the deteriorating security situation. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines have been among the carriers suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for the coming days.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has also expanded its guidance concerning Saudi airspace. Its assessment highlighted the Houthis’ ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and their increased focus on aviation infrastructure.
The agency warned that missile and drone attacks, combined with interception operations, could increase the risk of civil aircraft being misidentified.
In a separate incident on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s national airline reported that one of its aircraft was damaged while parked on the ground. No passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time.
Diplomatic Efforts to Reduce Tensions
Diplomatic efforts to contain the escalating situation are continuing. Saudi Arabia and Oman said their foreign ministers had spoken by telephone on Saturday about supporting diplomatic solutions to reduce regional tensions.
Oman has previously played a mediating role in regional disputes, including efforts involving Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities have warned the public against filming or sharing information related to missile and drone interceptions and the locations where they strike, cautioning that violations could result in legal consequences.
With airport operations disrupted and airlines reassessing their schedules, the reported attack has added to concerns about the safety of civilian aviation across the region. Further details about the casualties, the extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding Saturday’s incident had not been independently confirmed in the initial reports.
