Houthi missile strike on Riyadh airport kills 12, injures hundreds

A coordinated Houthi missile and drone attack targeted Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Monday, resulting in significant casualties and disrupting air traffic across the kingdom's busiest civilian hub. The assault killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300 others, according to Saudi authorities.

Following the strike, airport officials immediately halted all flight operations as emergency services responded to the attack. The extent of infrastructure damage at the facility remained under assessment, though officials indicated the airport would remain closed pending security clearance and repairs.

The Houthi movement, an Iran-aligned militant group based in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attack. The strike represents a significant breach of Saudi air defenses and adds to mounting tensions in the Arabian Peninsula, where the group has conducted numerous cross-border attacks against civilian and military targets over recent years.

Saudi Arabia has faced increased pressure from regional conflicts, with the Houthis regularly launching missiles and drones toward population centers. The attack on Riyadh airport underscores vulnerabilities in the kingdom's defense infrastructure and raises concerns about aviation safety in the region.

Official sources have not provided a timeline for resuming normal airport operations, though authorities indicated investigations into the security breach were underway.