CAIRO (AP) - A recent missile attack on the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to over 300 others, according to civil aviation authorities. Among the casualties, four were Saudi citizens, while the others included two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a U.S. citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, and a Sudanese. Many of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are receiving treatment at various hospitals. The Saudi-led coalition attributed the attack to Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen, marking it as the deadliest assault in any Gulf Arab nation since the onset of the Iran conflict.
The missile struck terminal complexes 3 and 4 at the airport, leading to a suspension of airport operations. The closure was initially imposed on Saturday and extended for an additional 24 hours due to safety concerns. Following the assault, social media footage captured emergency services at the airport, further highlighting the severity of the situation. The attack is expected to amplify pressure on allies, particularly the United States, to provide military support to Saudi Arabia, which is attempting to avoid an all-out war with the Houthis.
In response to the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that he was considering U.S. military involvement against the Houthis, stating, “We may. We’re going to look at it.” Trump condemned the attack, labeling it unacceptable, and revealed his intent to discuss the matter with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the death of an American citizen and condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to stop such actions that disregard civilian life.
The Saudi-led coalition condemned the missile strike as a “fully-fledged war crime” and vowed a decisive response, pointing out that the airport is not home to any military facilities. Meanwhile, Houthis claimed the attack was retaliation against Saudi strikes on Sanaa International Airport, illuminating the ongoing conflict between the groups. Just prior to this attack, the Houthis had also targeted the Riyadh airport, resulting in the deaths of three Saudis, including a pilot.
The upsurge in violence comes shortly after a Saudi-led coalition launched a significant military offensive against the Houthis. In light of the recent attacks, international countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada, urged their citizens to avoid the airport, while Saudi Arabia heightened police presence around the area.
Additionally, U.S. Central Command reported that its forces struck a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of efforts to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. The vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, reportedly ignored repeated warnings and safely evacuated its crew.
The escalating conflicts have raised alarm in global markets, yet the Saudi energy ministry continued to promote a major international energy conference in Riyadh, scheduled right after the attacks. The fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified since 2015 when the Saudi kingdom intervened in Yemen's civil war to support the recognized government, marking a significant escalation in the conflict’s fronts.
As the Houthis began asserting greater control in recent weeks, claiming to retaliate against Saudi actions, the situation in the region has become increasingly complex. The Saudi government has reportedly experienced a depletion of missile interceptors and reached out to multiple nations, including France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt, for air defense support.
In summary, the conflict escalates with continued Houthi assaults in Saudi Arabia and rising international concern over the implications of the violence. Diplomatic interventions and calls for a de-escalation of tensions are ongoing, with the potential for further military involvement by the U.S. looming in response to the growing threats against Saudi Arabia.
