A missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people, including a U.S. Citizen, and wounded more than 300 others, Saudi authorities said. The dead included four Saudis and residents from Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and the United States. An Indian passenger later died from injuries, bringing the reported toll to 13.
The airport was hit again the following day, with Saudi officials reporting additional injuries and damage assessments under way. The complex had already been struck four times in five days, prompting the closure of the airport, flight diversions and warnings for travelers to avoid the site. Riyadh also moved schools online amid the threat.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for at least four operations against the airport since Saturday. He said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Houthi-controlled Yemen and threatened further strikes on Saudi airports, while saying Mecca and Medina would be excluded. The group also claimed attacks against an Aramco gas facility, an oil refinery and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
The latest escalation followed a Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis and came alongside attacks on Saudi energy and military sites. Saudi authorities said they were coordinating security inspections and damage assessments, while the United Nations condemned the Riyadh strike and called for attacks on civilians to stop immediately.