RIYADH, Oct 11 – Saudi Arabia extended the closure of its main international airport on Sunday after a suspected Houthi missile attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300, escalating tensions between the kingdom and Yemen’s Iran-backed rebel group. The attack has raised concerns about the security of regional aviation, the potential expansion of the conflict and the risk of further disruption to global oil shipments.
The strike on Saturday marked a significant escalation in hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have intensified their attacks on Saudi territory in recent days. The threat of additional strikes prompted Saudi authorities to keep Riyadh’s main airport closed, while the rebels warned that airports across the kingdom could remain targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis. Any direct American involvement could widen the conflict and increase the likelihood of retaliation against regional shipping routes, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important passage for international trade and energy transportation.
As diplomatic condemnation of the attack mounted on Sunday, the Houthis also reported airstrikes against Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, blaming Saudi Arabia for the bombardment. Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on those reports, and no casualties were initially confirmed.
Riyadh Airport Closure Extended as Houthis Issue Fresh Threats
Saudi authorities extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until at least 9 p.m. Sunday, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. The decision followed Saturday’s deadly attack and growing concerns that further strikes could threaten civilian aviation and airport operations.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesman, warned that Saudi airports remained potential targets and urged people to take the group’s warnings seriously. His statement heightened concerns about the possibility of additional attacks against major transportation facilities throughout the kingdom.
The latest strike targeted an airport complex containing Terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, according to a regional official familiar with the incident. The official spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The attack drew widespread international condemnation as governments and international organizations warned that continued escalation could threaten regional stability and critical infrastructure.
Iraq, Lebanon and Syria were among the Arab countries that condemned the strike. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also denounced the attack, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that attacks attributed to Iran-backed groups were increasing the danger of wider regional instability.
In a statement published on X on Sunday, von der Leyen said attacks by Iran’s proxies were pushing the region toward further violence and destabilizing important global transportation and energy networks.
The extended airport closure reflects the growing security challenges facing Saudi Arabia as the conflict spreads beyond Yemen. Continued threats against airports, military installations and energy facilities could complicate air travel, disrupt commercial activity and place additional pressure on the kingdom’s air defense systems.
Attack Victims Included Citizens of Multiple Countries
The Saudi government said the 12 people killed in Saturday’s attack included citizens of several countries, highlighting the international impact of the strike.
The fatalities included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one citizen each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. More than 300 people were reported injured, with several hospitals treating casualties following the attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that an American citizen had died in the incident and condemned the attack in a social media statement. The death adds a further dimension to Washington’s deliberations over whether to become directly involved in Saudi military operations against the Houthis.
An Egyptian woman identified as Azza Ramzy, 28, was also among those killed. Egyptian state-run television channel Al-Qahera News reported that Ramzy worked as a flight attendant for Saudi airline Flynas.
The deaths of foreign nationals have increased the international significance of the attack, particularly as governments assess the safety of their citizens and the risks associated with traveling through the region.
The scale of the casualties has also intensified questions about the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s defenses against the latest wave of missile and drone threats. The kingdom has faced repeated attacks on airports and other infrastructure during its long-running confrontation with the Houthis, but Saturday’s reported death toll and number of injuries represented a particularly serious incident.
The airport strike came amid an increasingly dangerous period for the wider region, where the conflict involving Iran has created additional security pressures for countries aligned with the United States.
Trump Weighs U.S. Military Involvement as Saudi Attacks Intensify
Trump said shortly after Saturday’s attack that his administration was evaluating whether American forces should participate in Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
Speaking to reporters, the president said the United States might join the operation and that a decision would be made quickly. He later indicated that he intended to speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although he did not confirm whether Washington would commit American forces to the campaign.
The comments signal that the United States could become more directly involved in a conflict that has already threatened regional security and international energy supplies. A decision to participate in Saudi strikes could expose American personnel and interests to further retaliation from the Houthis and potentially increase tensions with Iran.
The Houthis had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. The airport does not contain military facilities, making attacks against it particularly concerning because of the risks posed to civilian travelers and airport workers.
The latest escalation followed a major military offensive launched by a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis. Since the offensive began, attacks have extended to additional Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, raising concerns that the conflict could expand further.
Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s civil war in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government, beginning a prolonged confrontation with the Houthis. A period of relative calm followed a ceasefire in 2022, but that stability has since deteriorated.
Tensions increased again after the Houthis resumed attacks in July, accusing Saudi Arabia of firing on Sanaa airport while an aircraft from Iran was attempting to land. The incident revived longstanding grievances over the Saudi-led blockade, which has restricted access to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
The renewed fighting has also placed additional pressure on Yemeni government forces attempting to regain territory from the rebels. Saudi-led coalition air support has become an important part of those efforts, particularly in areas near the Red Sea.
Bab el-Mandeb Shipping Route Raises Global Oil Concerns
Beyond the immediate threat to Saudi Arabia, the escalation has raised concerns about the security of international shipping and the movement of oil from the Persian Gulf.
The Houthis had largely remained on the sidelines of the wider Iran conflict until recently. Their renewed campaign against Saudi targets has provided Tehran with another potential means of applying pressure on a key U.S. ally, while increasing the risk of disruptions along important maritime corridors.
The rebels control territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The waterway is a major route for commercial shipping and energy transportation, making it strategically important to international trade.
The strait also provides an alternative route for some shipments that might otherwise pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on vessels have already threatened maritime traffic during the wider regional conflict.
Any attempt by the Houthis to disrupt shipping through Bab el-Mandeb could compound existing problems for energy markets, increase transportation costs and force commercial operators to reconsider routes through the region.
Saudi Arabia is also facing concerns over the availability of missile interceptors needed to defend against incoming attacks. Regional officials previously indicated that the kingdom had sought air defense assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt as the pace of attacks increased. The United States has also faced pressure on its own interceptor supplies during the conflict involving Iran.
The combination of renewed attacks, limited defensive resources and threats to major shipping corridors presents a growing challenge for Saudi Arabia and its partners.
With Riyadh’s main airport remaining closed and the Houthis warning of further strikes, the immediate priority is protecting civilians and critical infrastructure. However, the possibility of direct American military involvement, combined with the strategic importance of regional waterways, means the consequences of the latest escalation could extend well beyond Saudi Arabia and Yemen.