Saudi Arabia's military coalition has vowed decisive retaliation against Yemen's Houthi movement after an attack on Riyadh's main international airport killed at least 12 people and injured 309, prompting widespread flight disruptions and international condemnation.The Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen described Saturday's strike on King Khalid International Airport as a war crime. Its spokesman, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said coalition forces would respond firmly in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties on Sunday, identifying the dead as four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Several injured passengers and airport personnel remained in critical condition, the authority said. All those wounded were receiving hospital treatment, while officials continued assessing damage to the passenger terminal and surrounding airport facilities.
The attack struck a passenger terminal on Saturday afternoon, forcing authorities to suspend airport operations and disrupting international and domestic services. Airlines cancelled or diverted flights as emergency personnel responded and aviation officials examined the safety of airport infrastructure.
Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of deliberately targeting civilian aviation facilities, describing the strike as a serious violation of the laws governing armed conflict. He said the coalition's Joint Forces Command would take appropriate military measures against those responsible.
The coalition did not immediately announce specific retaliatory operations, identify prospective targets or provide a timetable for its response. Its statement nevertheless signalled a further escalation in hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed movement operating from Yemen.
The Houthis have conducted repeated attacks against Saudi aviation facilities during the escalating confrontation. Responsibility for Saturday's strike was attributed to the movement by Saudi authorities, although accounts differed over whether its leadership had formally claimed the operation.
United States President Donald Trump indicated that Washington could participate in military action against the Houthis following the attack. Speaking to journalists outside the White House, Trump said his administration was examining the situation before deciding whether American forces would become involved.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks on Saudi civilian infrastructure and demanded their immediate cessation. Washington's response carried additional significance because an American citizen was among those killed at the Riyadh airport.
The latest violence followed another attack on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, when three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, were killed. The earlier strike had already heightened concerns about the security of passenger operations and commercial aircraft.
Houthi forces had previously announced a ballistic missile operation targeting the airport, claiming their projectile reached its intended destination. Saudi authorities have been assessing damage from successive strikes while attempting to maintain essential aviation services.
The movement has also warned commercial airlines against operating through Saudi airspace, identifying aircraft outside specified areas around Mecca and Medina as potential targets. Such warnings have intensified concerns among international carriers serving the kingdom.
Saudi authorities reported another security incident near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Al-Maliki confirmed that a projectile had landed near the facility, although the coalition provided limited information about its origin and any resulting damage.
The incidents have placed additional pressure on Saudi aviation authorities as airlines review flight schedules and passenger safety arrangements. King Khalid International Airport serves as a major gateway for international travel and domestic connections throughout the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry advised citizens experiencing travel disruptions to contact diplomatic missions for assistance. Airport authorities separately urged passengers to verify their flight status directly with airlines before travelling to terminals.
Foreign diplomatic missions also issued security advisories. The United States mission urged its citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport and surrounding areas, while British, Irish and Canadian representatives warned travellers about the deteriorating security situation.
Regional governments condemned the violence. Qatar's foreign ministry characterised the airport attack as a threat to regional security, while Jordan and Oman expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and sympathy for the victims.
The renewed confrontation follows intensified fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government. Saudi Arabia supports the government, while the Houthis retain control over significant territory, including the capital, Sanaa.
Aviation officials said material damage from Saturday's attack remained under assessment. The civil aviation authority had not provided a comprehensive timetable for restoring normal operations when it issued its casualty update.
Kuwait Airways was among the carriers announcing cancellations following the airport closure. Other airlines adjusted schedules as passengers faced uncertainty over departures, arrivals and connections through Riyadh.
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