Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was attacked again on Saturday, with a missile striking a complex housing domestic flight terminals and leaving several people wounded, as Saudi Arabia faced a growing wave of assaults linked to the war involving Iran.
A regional official said the missile struck the complex housing terminals 3 and 4. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
The attack came as US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States should join Saudi Arabia’s strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump said, adding that Washington had only just learned of the latest attack and would make a decision quickly.
The Houthis had claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. There was no immediate statement from the rebels on Saturday’s attack.
Earlier on Saturday, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport in the Yemeni capital, which is under their control.
Airport operations suspended amid flight disruptions
Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport while assessing the extent of the injuries and damage. An official notice to aviators stated that the suspension would remain in effect until midnight.
Police maintained a heavy presence around the airport, with all entrances blocked and lights around the complex dimmed.
Flights were diverted to other destinations, according to flight tracker Flightradar24. The United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada also warned their citizens to avoid the airport.
At least 291 flights at Riyadh airport had been cancelled over the preceding 24 hours, according to FlightAware.
Before Saturday’s attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among carriers that had suspended flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, citing the Houthis’ ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and what it described as a greater focus on aviation infrastructure.
The agency warned that missile and drone attacks, together with interception efforts, increased the risk of civil aircraft being misidentified.
Two regional officials said Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport on Thursday had damaged three aircraft. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.
Saudi national carrier Saudia said one of its aircraft had been damaged while on the ground, with no passengers on board.
Saudi Arabia faces growing security and energy concerns
The latest attacks followed a major military offensive launched by a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis a week earlier. The assaults have also targeted other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has faced growing regional and market concerns as the attacks intensify. Despite the latest incident, the Saudi energy ministry continued promoting a major international energy conference scheduled to begin in Riyadh on Sunday.
Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support to government forces seeking to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea.
Those gains have given the rebels improved surveillance capabilities over a shipping corridor that serves as an important alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking vessels.
The Houthis have told The Associated Press and other media outlets that their targets are limited to Saudi shipping as part of a blockade imposed in retaliation for one against them. However, concerns remain over the possibility of wider attacks.
The rebels had previously attacked other vessels after the war in Gaza began, describing the operations as an act of solidarity with Palestinians. A US bombing campaign subsequently sharply limited those attacks.
Regional officials told The Associated Press last month that Saudi Arabia was running low on missile interceptors and had asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to provide air defence support. One official noted that US interceptor stocks had also dwindled during the war with Iran.
Officials have said US assistance in the latest offensive against the Houthis included intelligence sharing, target identification and operational planning.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its foreign minister and his Omani counterpart had discussed the importance of “supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions” in the region.
Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has at times acted as a mediator in regional disputes.
Saudi authorities also warned the public this week that filming, publishing or sharing information related to missile and drone interception efforts and their impact sites could expose individuals to legal liability.
Houthis warn airlines over Saudi airspace
Earlier this week, the Houthis issued what they described as a final warning to international airlines about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they characterised as a theatre of their military operations.
The warning has added to concerns over aviation safety as attacks and flight disruptions continue across the kingdom.
The latest airport strike also comes amid uncertainty over whether Washington will expand its involvement in the conflict by joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis.
Trump said the United States would assess the latest developments before deciding whether to intervene.
