RIYADH: At least 12 people have been killed and 309 injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, local authorities said, as airport operations were suspended following the assault.
The casualties included four Saudi nationals, two people from Bangladesh and one each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, according to the Saudi civil aviation authority.
The attack was described as the deadliest in the kingdom since May 2015, intensifying concerns over security amid escalating regional hostilities.
A Saudi-led military coalition subsequently vowed to respond to the attack, describing it as a “war crime” and blaming Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Houthis had not commented on Saturday’s attack at the time of reporting. However, the group had claimed responsibility for strikes on the same airport on Thursday, which reportedly killed three people and damaged an aircraft.
The latest assault has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilian infrastructure and the potential for further escalation in the region.
UN chief condemns attack
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock over the attacks and called for an immediate end to the violence.
“I am deeply shocked,” Guterres said, describing the attacks as a “violation of international law” that “must cease immediately”.
His remarks underscored growing international concern over attacks targeting civilian facilities and the risk of further casualties.
With airport operations suspended and the Saudi-led coalition threatening retaliation, the incident threatens to deepen tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis.
