On 2026-10-10 a missile struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The attack resulted in twelve fatalities and left more than three hundred people injured. Airport authorities evacuated the facility and diverted or cancelled flights. While previous assaults on the same airport have been claimed by Houthi rebels, no group had taken responsibility for this specific incident at the time the report was published. The strike unfolded against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions.
Twelve people lost their lives and over three hundred were injured in the attack. The airport’s operations were disrupted as travelers were moved to safety and flights rerouted. The scale of the loss and damage prompted swift reactions from governments and international organisations.
The following day, 2026-10-11, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the violence. New Delhi described the attack on the airport as a cowardly act and expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and its people. The ministry called for an immediate end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, declaring that repeated strikes on Saudi citizens and civilian facilities are completely unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.
UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres declared that such attacks constitute a direct violation of international law and must be halted immediately.
United States President Donald Trump indicated that his administration was considering options for potential retaliatory action. He said, "America is considering this option and a decision could be taken soon after receiving information about the recent attack." Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that an American citizen was among those killed in the strike.
UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres declared that such attacks constitute a direct violation of international law and must be halted immediately. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg echoed the warning, stressing that the strikes threaten regional stability and breach legal norms governing the protection of civilians.
Both Canada and Qatar issued statements condemning the targeting of civilians and infrastructure. Their remarks aligned with the broader international criticism that the attack on the Riyadh airport was unacceptable and called for an end to the violence.
Besides India, the United States, the United Nations, Canada and Qatar, the attack drew widespread international criticism.
Although Houthi rebels have previously claimed responsibility for attacks on King Khalid International Airport, no group had asserted ownership of the 2026-10-10 missile strike at the time of reporting. This left open questions about the perpetrators while underscoring the pattern of violence targeting the facility.
The airport remained evacuated and flights remained diverted or cancelled as authorities assessed the situation. India, the United States, the United Nations, Canada and Qatar each issued statements condemning the attack and urging an end to the violence.