Evacuations, Injuries at Riyadh Airport After Alleged Houthi Attack

Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was evacuated and temporarily shut down on Saturday after an attack injured several people, amid escalating missile strikes targeting the kingdom’s aviation infrastructure.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said the airport was attacked on Saturday afternoon, adding that authorities were assessing the damage and determining the number of casualties.

Witnesses reported hearing an explosion inside the airport and seeing injured passengers near the domestic terminal. One witness told reporters that people began running after a strike hit the area.

A hospital source in Riyadh told Agence France-Presse that dozens of people had been injured, with at least five receiving treatment in intensive care. These figures had not been independently confirmed by Saudi authorities at the time of reporting.

The airport’s operations were suspended while security officials assessed the safety of its facilities. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines and check flight information before travelling to the airport.

Several airlines cancelled or diverted flights to and from Riyadh because of the security situation. Kuwait Airways announced the cancellation of its flights between Kuwait and Riyadh, while other international carriers also reported disruptions.

Saturday’s incident follows a series of attacks on Saudi airports earlier in the week. Saudi authorities said strikes on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7 killed three civilians and injured 36 others.

Further attacks on Riyadh airport on Thursday, October 8, killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia airline captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, according to the kingdom’s aviation authority. The strikes also damaged a Saudia aircraft on the ground.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on Saudi aviation facilities. However, no immediate claim of responsibility was reported for Saturday’s latest incident.

The attacks have intensified concerns about civilian aviation safety as fighting between the Houthis and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government escalates.

Saudi Arabia has increased security around key infrastructure, while several foreign embassies have warned their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport.

The latest disruption also threatens regional air travel, with airlines reviewing operations as authorities investigate the incident and assess the risks to passengers and airport workers.