Riyadh Airport Missile Strike Prompts Evacuations and Disrupts Flights

A missile hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, injuring several people and leading to evacuations as attacks on the kingdom escalated. Two regional officials confirmed the attack on the airport, with one stating the missile struck a passenger terminal, causing multiple injuries. These officials preferred to remain anonymous, lacking authorization to speak publicly. Ambulances were observed rushing toward the airport.

Regarding the attack, President Donald Trump commented, expressing the possibility of joining Saudi strikes on the Houthis. He noted, “We have now learned of the attacks, we will examine them and make decisions.” This was reported by Israeli news outlet YNetNews. Both the State Department and the White House were reached out to by Newsweek for comments on the incident.

Airline Disruptions and Flight Cancellations

Kuwait Airways announced via X the cancellation of flights KU775 (Kuwait to Riyadh) and KU776 (Riyadh to Kuwait) on Saturday, October 10, 2026, due to airport closure from security concerns. The airline advised passengers to monitor their flight status using registered phone notifications or Kuwait Airways’ official channels. Flights were similarly canceled by Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, with disruptions expected to extend to Monday.

A post on Facebook by AirNav Radar, a flight-tracking app, detailed the diversions of flights scheduled for Riyadh (RUH) to Jeddah, impacting 266 canceled flights and 219 delayed ones.

Intensified Attacks on Riyadh Airport

Saturday’s incident contributed to a surge in assaults on King Khalid International Airport amid increased fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. Historical attacks on the airport have been frequent since the Saudi-led coalition launched a significant military offensive against the Houthis in neighboring Yemen. While the Houthis claimed responsibility for earlier assaults, including one on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national, responsibility for Saturday’s attack was not immediately declared.

This attack followed an incident two days prior where assaults on the Riyadh airport resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a pilot. Reuters reported two other attacks earlier in the week, which left four dead, several injured, and an aircraft heavily damaged. Images from video footage obtained by the Associated Press captured thick smoke and fires rising at the airport after Friday’s attack.

Travel Advisories and Regional Security Concerns

The U.S. State Department currently categorizes Saudi Arabia as Level 3: Reconsider Travel, due to risks including armed conflict, Iranian missile and drone attacks, terrorism, and exit bans. The advisory issued on September 15 highlights threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, warning that airports and critical infrastructure have been targeted by missiles and drones. Americans are advised against traveling to Yemen’s border region, marked at Level 4, due to high terrorism risks and previous drone, missile, and rocket attacks.

Escalating Conflict With the Houthis

The Houthis, backed by Iran, are an armed movement dominating much of northwestern Yemen, in opposition to Yemen’s internationally recognized Saudi-backed government for years. Fighting intensified this year within the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, with Houthis launching missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces contest territory along the Red Sea’s strategic regions.

Reuters noted the Houthis warning airlines to steer clear of Saudi airspace, labeling it a military operation zone after the Saudi-backed Yemeni government initiated an offensive against them earlier this month.