In the days before the major assault, Houthi forces launched strikes on two Saudi airports. On October 6, 2026, they targeted both King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport. Earlier attacks on King Khalid and Abha International Airports on October 6 and 7, 2026 resulted in three casualties. The strikes were part of the ongoing exchange of attacks between Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabia.
Four days later, on October 10, 2026, the Houthis directed another strike at King Khalid International Airport. The Saudi aviation authority confirmed that the attack took place on a Saturday and corresponded to 29 Rabi' Al-Thani 1448H in the Islamic calendar. The authority’s statement described the event as a lethal attack that caused loss of life and injury among people present at the airport.
An attack on the international airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital killed 12 people and injured over 300 others, civil aviation authorities said early Sunday (October 11, 2026), with some in critical condition. https://t.co/RRjEGNdjcv https://t.co/ypcM9VXbVN
The authority broke down the fatalities, stating that twelve people were killed. Among the dead were four Saudi citizens. This mix of nationalities underscored the international character of the airport’s workforce and passenger base.
In a follow‑up statement, the General Authority of Civil Aviation reiterated the casualty figures.
Beyond the deaths, the attack left 309 other people injured. The aviation authority noted that some of those injured were in critical condition. All injured individuals were reported to be receiving the necessary medical care at several hospitals. The authority expressed hope for their swift recovery and offered prayers for those who had died.
12 killed, 309 injured in attack on Riyadh airport, GACA confirms Read more : https://t.co/6Jv1DO9neP #ARYNews https://t.co/jyySI6DhKK
In a follow‑up statement, the General Authority of Civil Aviation reiterated the casualty figures. It confirmed that the attack resulted in twelve fatalities, listing the nationalities exactly as previously disclosed. The authority also repeated that 309 persons were injured.
The same statement added that the injured were being treated at multiple medical facilities. It also noted that the attack caused property damage, though the full extent was still being evaluated. The authority closed with a traditional benediction, asking for mercy for the deceased and a speedy recovery for the wounded.
At least 12 people have been killed and 309 injured in an attack on the international airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, local authorities say. https://t.co/7IPYWAO4fu
On October 11, 2026, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres issued a strong condemnation. He said he was "deeply shocked by and strongly condemn[ing] Saturday’s lethal attack by the Houthis on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which reportedly killed 12 people and injured hundreds of civilians." Guterres declared that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute a violation of international law and demanded an immediate halt to such violence.
The secretary‑general’s remarks came amid a broader context of intensified international criticism. The October 10 strike followed the earlier October 6 and 7 attacks on King Khalid and Abha airports. The attack underscores the ongoing conflict between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia.