Houthi strike kills 12 at Riyadh airport, triggers school closures and US military warning

Houthi forces launched a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, October 9, 2026, killing 12 people and wounding hundreds. The attack targeted the airport's domestic terminal, with victims including four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, one US citizen, and one each from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. Saudi civil aviation authority confirmed some of the 309 wounded were in serious condition.

This is the deadliest attack on Saudi soil since May 2015, prompting immediate school closures across Riyadh as authorities switched to remote learning for the week. The US, Canadian, German and Spanish embassies warned citizens to avoid the airport, while several embassies banned staff from using it over the next week. The strike occurred during preparations for Saudi Arabia's high-profile convention and entertainment season, which typically draws foreign leaders and business titans to Riyadh.

The Saudi-led coalition blamed Iran-backed Houthis for what it called a "full-fledged war crime," vowing a decisive response. US President Donald Trump signaled possible American involvement, stating "We may" join military action against the group. Operations remain suspended at the airport as damage assessments continue, with health officials having activated a rare mass call-up of doctors to handle the emergency. Readers planning travel to the region should consult their government's latest travel advisories, as several embassies have warned citizens to avoid the airport and banned staff from using it over the next week.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/11/houthi-strike-on-riyadh-airport-kills-12-wounds-hundreds/