Pakistani Killed, 11 Injured in Another Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh Airport

RIYADH (Terror Monitor) — A Pakistani national was killed and 11 people were injured in another missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital on Sunday, including six Pakistani citizens, according to information provided by Saudi authorities.

The attack comes amid a series of strikes targeting Saudi airports and critical infrastructure claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen, which has threatened further operations against the kingdom.

Saudi authorities said an unidentified weapon struck Passenger Hall 4 at King Khalid International Airport, triggering a fire. The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that a Pakistani national was killed and 11 people were injured, including six Pakistanis.

Emergency crews responded to the incident, while authorities worked to contain the fire and assess damage to the airport facilities. Saudi officials also reported that air defence systems intercepted a missile near the airport.

The latest incident followed another attack on the airport a day earlier, which was reported to have killed 13 people and injured 308. Further attacks on Saudi aviation facilities have also been reported in recent days, raising concerns about civilian safety and the disruption of air travel.

Pakistan Condemns Attack, Offers Assistance to Affected Nationals

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the injuries sustained by Pakistani citizens in the attack and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Sharif said Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh was in close contact with Saudi authorities and was providing assistance to affected Pakistani nationals and their families.

The prime minister strongly condemned the attack on the Saudi airport, describing strikes against civilians and critical infrastructure as unacceptable and a serious threat to regional peace and stability.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that acts of violence violating international law must stop immediately.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the attacks, saying that targeting civilian property and airports threatened regional security. The ministry reiterated Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty and called on the Houthi militia to immediately cease such operations.

R4 Group Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia

The R4 Group, comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye, strongly condemned the Houthi attacks against the kingdom, including the strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

In a joint statement issued through Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the four countries said the attacks violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and posed a direct threat to its security, stability and the protection of civilians.

The group reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed support for measures taken by the kingdom, consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law, to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens and residents.

The statement called for an immediate and unconditional halt to the attacks, holding the Houthi militia responsible for the strikes and the resulting threats to regional and international peace and security.

Houthis Claim Responsibility, Threaten Further Attacks

The Iran-backed Houthi militia has claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi airports and warned airlines and passengers against using the kingdom’s airports and airspace.

The group said it had targeted the airport over the previous 24 hours using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones.

Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that the group had also attacked oil facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia and Dammam Airport. He threatened further operations inside the kingdom, warning that Saudi airports could be potential targets, with the exception of those in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

The Houthis said their attacks were retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemeni government forces in the country’s civil war and airstrikes targeting Sanaa International Airport, which is under Houthi control.

The group’s warnings have raised concerns over the safety of civilian aviation and the potential for further disruption to regional air travel.

Saudi-Led Coalition Reports Missile Interceptions

Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, said Saudi air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed a missile near Riyadh airport.

Authorities were also responding to a fire caused by an unidentified weapon that struck Passenger Hall 4, according to the reports.

The coalition separately announced that its air defences had intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition has warned that further attacks would prompt a decisive response. It said previous strikes on airport terminals had resulted in casualties among passengers and airport personnel.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority said it was assessing the damage caused by the latest incident.

Trump Says Washington Is Considering Action Against Houthis

US President Donald Trump described the attack on Riyadh airport as unacceptable and said Washington would decide whether to take action against the Houthi militia.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had been briefed on the latest attack and that his administration was reviewing the situation.

He indicated that the United States could move quickly and said he intended to contact Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump had previously said Washington was considering whether to participate in Saudi Arabia’s response to Houthi attacks.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia. According to the reports provided, Rubio also confirmed that an American citizen had been killed in the attacks.

Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting indicated that Britain could potentially provide additional assistance to Saudi Arabia as concerns grow over the security of the kingdom’s airports and critical infrastructure.

Witnesses Describe Panic at Riyadh Airport

A witness at King Khalid International Airport told news organisations that they saw Gate 4 being struck. The witness described injured people nearby and passengers running in panic.

Reuters, citing a witness, reported that more than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing towards the airport.

The incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of passengers, airport workers and foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia.

Western embassies in the kingdom have advised their citizens to stay away from the airport and affected areas. The UK Foreign Office urged British nationals to avoid the area until the airport was declared safe.

Several Gulf airlines reportedly cancelled flights to and from Riyadh. Flight-tracking service Flightradar also indicated that flights bound for the Saudi capital had been diverted or cancelled.

The disruptions threaten to affect regional air connectivity, passenger travel and airline operations if the attacks continue.

Attacks Raise Concerns Over Regional Security

The latest strikes come amid an escalation in attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi airports and other important infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition said a projectile had also fallen near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Earlier attacks on Saudi aviation facilities reportedly killed several people, including a pilot. Saudi authorities have also reported attacks on other airports in recent days.

The repeated targeting of major transport hubs and energy infrastructure has raised concerns about the potential economic and security consequences for Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries.

Saudi officials and their partners have called for an end to the attacks, while the Houthis have threatened to continue their operations.

Targeting Civilian Airports Could Constitute a War Crime

The Saudi-led coalition has condemned attacks on civilian airports and passengers, describing them as violations of international law.

Under international humanitarian law, civilian airports and passenger aircraft are generally protected civilian objects unless they become military objectives under the applicable legal criteria. Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects can constitute a war crime, depending on the circumstances and available evidence.

Determining whether a specific incident constitutes a war crime requires an assessment of the target, the intent behind the attack, the circumstances and the evidence.

The Saudi-led coalition has called on the Houthis to stop targeting the kingdom, while the Houthi leadership has threatened additional operations.

Yemen’s Civil War and Saudi Arabia’s Role

Yemen has been engulfed in a prolonged conflict between the internationally recognised government and the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which controls large parts of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia has supported Yemeni government forces in the conflict. The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones towards Saudi territory, targeting or attempting to target border areas, energy facilities and other critical infrastructure.

The latest attacks involving major civilian aviation hubs in Riyadh and Dammam have raised concerns that the conflict could further destabilise regional security and disrupt international travel.

The Houthis say their operations are retaliation for Saudi involvement in Yemen and attacks on Houthi-controlled areas. Saudi Arabia and its partners, however, have condemned the strikes as threats to the kingdom’s sovereignty, civilians and critical infrastructure.

With Pakistan and the R4 Group reaffirming their support for Saudi Arabia, Washington considering possible action and the Houthis threatening further strikes, tensions remain high. The immediate priorities for Saudi authorities include protecting civilian infrastructure, assessing the damage and ensuring the safety of passengers and airport personnel.