One Killed, 11 Injured in Second Houthi Attack on Saudi Airport
A Pakistani national was killed and 11 others were injured in a second attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strike.
According to an Al Jazeera report published Monday (October 12), the attack occurred on Sunday, catching fire in one of the passenger terminals. Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed the casualty was a Pakistani citizen.
An earlier strike on the same airport resulted in 13 deaths and 308 injuries. Victims included citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. An injured Indian national later succumbed to injuries in the hospital, according to the Indian Embassy.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones were deployed over the past 24 hours against various targets in Saudi Arabia. Besides Riyadh, the group targeted eastern Dammam airport and nearby oil infrastructure.
The Houthis framed the operations as retaliation for the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Yemen’s civil war and recent strikes on Sanaa Airport, warning that all Saudi airports, excluding Mecca and Medina, remain potential targets.
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki confirmed that a missile was intercepted near Riyadh Airport. However, an unidentified object struck Passenger Terminal 4, sparking a fire that emergency crews contained.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a decision would be made swiftly regarding potential retaliatory strikes against the Houthis. Meanwhile, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted Britain is reviewing further assistance to Saudi Arabia.
Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that a Saudi coalition airstrike near Sanaa International Airport hit a residential building, killing one child and injuring six people. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the claim, and BBC could not independently verify it.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, offering support to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis.
