A fresh attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has killed one person and injured 11 others, raising fresh security concerns a day after a deadly strike on the facility claimed multiple lives and wounded hundreds.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Monday, October 12, that the victim of Sunday’s attack was a Pakistani resident. The injured were taken to hospitals for medical treatment.
According to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 of the airport on Sunday, causing a fire. Authorities have begun assessing the damage and inspecting the affected facilities.
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The latest incident occurred as Saudi Arabia continued to respond to repeated attacks targeting its aviation infrastructure.
Death Toll Rises After Earlier Airport Strike
The latest attack followed a missile strike on the airport on Saturday, October 10, which killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others, according to Saudi authorities.
India’s embassy in Riyadh subsequently confirmed that an Indian national who sustained injuries in Saturday’s attack died on Sunday, bringing the reported death toll from that incident to 13.
The two attacks have intensified concerns about the safety of passengers, airport workers and other civilians as the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels escalates.
King Khalid International Airport, one of Saudi Arabia’s major aviation hubs, remained closed following Saturday’s deadly strike as authorities carried out safety inspections and assessed the damage.
The disruption has also affected air travel, with airlines cancelling or adjusting services amid the security concerns.
Houthis Claim Responsibility for Earlier Attacks
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on Riyadh airport. He also said the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco.
Saudi authorities confirmed that Dammam airport had also been targeted, while officials continued assessing the situation and checking the safety of airport facilities.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences intercepted a cruise missile near King Khalid International Airport. It also reported intercepting a drone in the Eastern Province and destroying a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait.
The Houthis have warned against the use of Saudi airports and threatened further attacks amid the worsening confrontation.
However, the Saudi-led coalition described the projectile involved in Sunday’s latest airport incident as unidentified.
Saudi Arabia Faces Growing Security Concerns
The repeated attacks have raised concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict and its impact on civilian infrastructure, regional aviation and commercial activities.
Foreign governments have issued travel warnings, while airlines have reviewed services to Riyadh in response to the security situation.
The escalation comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which Saudi Arabia has backed militarily.
US President Donald Trump has also indicated that Washington is considering possible involvement in Saudi operations against the Houthis, adding to concerns about a wider regional confrontation.
Saudi authorities have yet to announce a confirmed date for the full resumption of normal airport operations. Safety inspections and damage assessments remain central to the response as the kingdom faces continued threats to its aviation facilities.
Additional source: Outlook
