Riyadh Airport Attack Kills 12, Injures Over 300, India Condemns Strike as Trump Weighs Military Action

At least 12 people were killed and 309 injured in a missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport, authorities said, raising fears of a dangerous escalation in the widening conflict involving Iran, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi civil aviation authorities reported that some of the injured were in critical condition. The deceased included four Saudi citizens and nationals of Bangladesh, Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.

The missile struck an airport complex housing Terminals 3 and 4, which handle domestic flights, according to a regional official. The airport was subsequently closed, forcing flights to divert as security was tightened around the facility.

The Indian government strongly condemned the attack, describing repeated strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure as completely unacceptable. At least 11 Indian nationals were reported injured, with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh coordinating with local authorities and hospitals to monitor the situation and assist those affected.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in neighbouring Yemen blamed the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for the strike, calling it a war crime and promising a firm response. The Houthis had not immediately issued a statement accepting responsibility for the latest attack, although they had claimed responsibility for earlier strikes targeting Saudi airports.

The incident also raised the prospect of direct American involvement. US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the rebels. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, which killed an American citizen.

A further projectile reportedly struck Terminal 4 on Sunday, causing a fire, according to subsequent reports, deepening concerns over airport security. Several international airlines suspended or disrupted services to Saudi destinations, while foreign governments advised their citizens to avoid the airport.

The escalation follows a renewed Saudi-led military offensive against Houthi positions in Yemen. The attacks have heightened concerns over regional stability, energy markets and shipping routes connecting the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, faces mounting pressure to strengthen its air defences as the conflict threatens to spread further across the Gulf.