- Alishba Khattak
- October 12, 2026
Pakistani killed in new attack on Riyadh airport, 11 injured
RIYADH/DUBAI/ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani national was killed and 11 other people were injured in a fresh attack on Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities said, a day after a Houthi-claimed strike killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said the latest attack targeted Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, causing a fire. Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen said an unidentified projectile had struck the airport.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the Saturday Houthi attack that injured six Pakistanis, saying the embassy in Riyadh was in constant contact with Saudi authorities and was providing all possible assistance to the affected families.
Saudi air defences intercepted a cruise missile near King Khalid International Airport, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The forces later reported intercepting and destroying a drone in the Eastern Province and intercepting a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait.
Emergency alerts were also issued in Abha, in southern Saudi Arabia, early on Monday. Saudi Civil Defense later said the danger had passed.
Saturday’s attack killed 13
Footage released by Saudi state television of Saturday’s attack showed pilgrims preparing to travel to the holy sites when a bright flash prompted people to flee in panic. Parts of the roof also appeared to collapse.
The airport was closed following the attack. Saudi authorities said four of those killed on Saturday were Saudi nationals, while the others were foreign nationals. The latest fatality brings the death toll from attacks on Riyadh airport during the week to 18.
Houthis claim attacks on Dammam airport, Aramco facilities
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack in a televised address on Sunday. He also claimed that the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed an attack on Dammam airport late on Sunday, saying damage assessments and safety inspections of airport facilities were under way.
An eyewitness aboard an aircraft at Dammam airport told Reuters that a projectile struck the tarmac near several parked aircraft at around 8:30pm local time, causing a fire. The aircraft returned to the gate, passengers disembarked and were told to leave, the witness said.
Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed several delays and cancellations involving flights arriving at and departing from Dammam airport on Sunday.
The Houthis renewed their warning against using Saudi airports, saying Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any failed interceptions.
Britain’s embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens on X to avoid all but essential travel through Jeddah, Dammam and other airports in the kingdom, except Medina airport. US aviation authorities also issued a notice urging American airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia.
Houthis threaten further escalation
The attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in Saudi Arabia’s air defences as the kingdom steps up military operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had carried out 124 air strikes in Yemen over the previous 24 hours. In a statement broadcast by Houthi-run Al Masirah television, Yemen’s Houthi-run foreign ministry warned of further consequences if Riyadh did not stop its military actions and interference in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has intensified its involvement in the conflict after the Houthis seized strategic territory along Yemen’s Red Sea coast last month. Riyadh has launched air strikes against the group and supported a counteroffensive by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. The conflict has unfolded amid the wider war involving Iran, the United States and Israel that began in February.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Telegram that he had told his Saudi counterpart Tehran was ready to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Energy conference proceeds amid attacks
A five-day conference organised by international energy body WPC Energy opened as scheduled on Sunday at a convention centre about 10 kilometres from Riyadh airport, according to Saudi authorities.
A ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum also took place, although it was unclear which ministers attended. Italy’s energy minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, had said on Friday that he would participate remotely.
German officials were trying to arrange a return flight for Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, who was due to return to Berlin on Monday. The German ministry said it appeared her flight might not be able to take off.
Separately, Saudi authorities announced that schools in Riyadh would switch to online classes from Sunday until Thursday, replacing in-person teaching.
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