Riyadh International Airport Hit by Second Houthi Strike in Two Days

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been struck by a second attack in two days, according to Saudi officials. The latest incident involved a projectile hitting Passenger Hall No 4 on Sunday, triggering a fire and causing injuries, as reported by Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority.

Saudi-led military coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki stated that air defences intercepted a missile near the capital's airport, while emergency services managed the blaze caused by the unknown projectile. The strike follows a deadly attack on the same airport a day earlier, which killed 13 people and injured 308 others.

Houthi Claims and Regional Escalation

Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the recent strikes, stating they utilised a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones over a 24-hour period. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree announced that the group also targeted oil facilities and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia. Saree warned airlines and passengers against using Saudi airspace and airports, declaring all Saudi airports potential targets, excluding those in Mecca and Medina.

The Houthis cited Saudi support for Yemen's government forces and a recent air strike on Sanaa airport as reasons for the escalating attacks. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported a Saudi air strike on Sanaa International Airport, though this claim remains unverified and unconfirmed by Saudi officials.

Casualties and International Reaction

Saturday's strike stands as the deadliest single attack on a Gulf Arab nation since regional conflict escalated in February. Saudi aviation authorities confirmed the dead included four Saudi nationals, two individuals from Bangladesh, and citizens from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. The Indian embassy later confirmed that an Indian national died from injuries sustained in the assault.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the death of an American citizen and condemned the strikes, while US President Donald Trump stated the US would make a rapid decision regarding potential strikes against the Houthis. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed condemnation, and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting indicated potential further support for Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Western governments, including the UK Foreign Office, have issued updated travel warnings for parts of Saudi Arabia.