A passenger terminal at the international airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck again on Sunday, just one day after a lethal attack on the same facility resulted in at least 12 deaths and left hundreds of others wounded. Among those killed in the Saturday strike was a U.S. citizen.
Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for the ongoing operations, stating they have carried out at least four separate attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh since Saturday. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, writing on Telegram, characterized the strikes as a response to what he described as "brutal Saudi aggression against our country and our people." Saree further alleged that Saudi Arabia had launched over 120 airstrikes against Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen within the previous 24-hour period.
In addition to the Riyadh airport, the Houthis claimed to have targeted the Shugadam gas facility owned by the Saudi national petroleum company Aramco, the Tanajib oil refinery, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority confirmed that the strike on King Fahd Airport had occurred.
Saturday's attack, which stands as the deadliest incident on Saudi soil in more than a decade, signifies a major escalation in the conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and the kingdom. Earlier on Saturday, the Houthis had issued a warning to passengers to avoid traveling through the kingdom's airports, excluding the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Saree stated on X that the airports and airspace were being treated as a "theatre of operations" and warned the public to take these threats seriously. On Sunday, the Houthis reported that the airport in Sanaa, which is under their control, had also been struck, though they provided no further details and blamed Saudi forces.
The international community has responded with widespread condemnation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on social media that the United States "strongly condemns the recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the terrorist Houthis," noting the death of an American citizen. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the administration is in close communication with its Saudi partners. President Trump indicated that he is considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remarked that the attacks are "pushing the region into a spiral of violence" and destabilizing global transport and energy nodes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the attack, stating that terrorism must be confronted with resolve.
Saudi authorities reported that the victims of Saturday’s attack included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Sudanese, one Palestinian, and one U.S. citizen. Approximately 309 people were injured, with some remaining in serious condition. The Egyptian victim was identified as 28-year-old flight attendant Azza Ramzy, who worked for Flynas.
Additionally, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Sunday that an Indian national died from injuries sustained during the airport attack. The Houthis had also claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot, despite the facility having no military components.
These developments occur following a week of increased hostilities, including strikes against military facilities and oil infrastructure, coinciding with a major military offensive launched by a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis.
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