One dead, 11 wounded in Sunday attack on Riyadh airport [WATCH]

RIYADH, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A Pakistani resident was killed and 11 others injured in a fresh projectile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday afternoon, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

The strike, which targeted terminals serving domestic flights, occurred just one day after a devastating Houthi missile attack on the same facility that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, marking the deadliest incident in the kingdom since the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February.

The escalation in violence has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Saudi defense capabilities as the kingdom wages an air campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthis, who are fighting a ground war in Yemen against the Saudi-backed government. The repeated strikes on critical infrastructure, including major airports and energy facilities, have intensified regional tensions and raised urgent concerns among global markets regarding the stability of oil supplies and commercial shipping routes.

For Malaysian and regional investors, the instability in the Gulf poses a direct threat to energy security and supply chain continuity, particularly as the conflict threatens to draw in the United States military.

GACA confirmed on its official account on X that the Sunday attack claimed the life of a Pakistani resident and left 11 others injured, with the victims immediately transferred to hospitals for medical treatment. The agency stated that the attack caused material damage, the extent of which is still being assessed. Following the strike, GACA announced that damage assessments and safety inspections of the airport facilities were under way.

The airport, which serves as a primary gateway for pilgrims traveling to Islam’s two holiest sites, has been closed since Saturday’s attack, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.

The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the series of strikes, with military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stating that the group had carried out four missile and drone operations against airports and energy facilities across Saudi Arabia over the past 24 hours. Sarea identified the targets as King Khalid International Airport, King Fahd International Airport near Dammam in the Eastern Province, and two facilities operated by Saudi energy giant Aramco.

In a separate statement, Sarea warned that Saudi airports and airspace, with the exception of the airports in the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina, remained "exposed to targeting" and constituted an area of operations for the group's forces.

The pattern of attacks has intensified over the past week. The Riyadh airport was struck four times in the past five days. On Thursday, Houthi attacks on King Khalid airport killed at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, according to GACA. The Saturday attack, which killed 13 people, was described by the Saudi-led coalition as the deadliest in the country since the conflict with Iran escalated.

India’s embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that one of its citizens died on Sunday due to injuries sustained in Saturday’s attack, bringing the total death toll from that specific incident to 13.

Footage released by Saudi state television of the Saturday attack showed the chaos at the airport, with dozens of people queuing at a gate as they prepared to travel to Mecca and Medina. A bright orange flash sent people running in panic, while parts of the roof appeared to cave in.

An Irish national, who was caught up in the attack, told reporters he was "lucky to be alive." The visual evidence of the destruction has underscored the severity of the threat posed by the Houthi projectiles, which have successfully penetrated air defenses on multiple occasions.

In the Eastern Province, King Fahd International Airport near Dammam was also attacked on Sunday evening. GACA confirmed the strike, adding that damage assessments and safety inspections of the airport facilities were under way. An eyewitness aboard a taxiing aircraft at Dammam reported seeing a projectile strike the tarmac beside several parked aircraft around 8:30 pm local time, causing a fire.

The witness said the aircraft returned to the gate, where passengers disembarked and were told to leave. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed several delays and cancellations for arrivals and departures at Dammam airport, the kingdom’s third-largest, highlighting the operational disruption caused by the strikes.

The Saudi-led coalition vowed a firm response to the Houthi strikes, with Saudi airstrikes continuing across Houthi-held areas in Yemen. Sarea claimed that Saudi warplanes had carried out 124 strikes over the previous 24 hours, targeting the capital Sanaa and the provinces of Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Hodeidah, and Saada.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that a Saudi airstrike hit Sanaa International Airport in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital, though no immediate information on casualties or damage was available. A Yemeni military official told Xinhua that Saudi warplanes had launched intensive strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in the southwestern province of Taiz, where fierce fighting between government forces and the group has intensified.

The geopolitical implications of the conflict are expanding, with the escalation threatening to draw in the US military. US President Donald Trump has said he is weighing whether to join the fight against the Houthis, and had stated he intends to speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seeking help against the rebels. However, there were no signs on Sunday that the US president had followed up on his claim.

The potential for US intervention has raised fears among regional analysts that it could prompt the Houthis to halt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait off the Yemeni coast. The rebels seized key areas along the strait last month, and any disruption to this crucial alternative waterway to the Strait of Hormuz would further restrict the flow of oil out of the Gulf.

The attacks have placed further pressure on global oil supplies and prices, a development of significant concern for Malaysia and other energy-importing nations in the region. The Bab al-Mandeb strait is a vital chokepoint for global trade, and its potential closure would exacerbate existing supply chain pressures.

The Houthi group has renewed its warning against using Saudi airports, stating, "We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions." This rhetoric signals a sustained campaign of intimidation aimed at destabilizing the kingdom’s infrastructure and economic activity.

Diplomatic responses have also intensified in light of the escalating violence. Britain’s embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a post on X advising British citizens against all but essential travel to Jeddah and Dammam, reflecting the heightened risk environment.

The Saudi-led coalition forces said an unidentified projectile had targeted Riyadh’s international airport Terminal 4 on Saturday, causing a fire, and that Saudi air defences had intercepted a cruise missile in the vicinity of King Khalid International Airport. They later added that a drone had been intercepted and destroyed in the country’s Eastern Province.

The conflict in Yemen, which has been simmering for years, has now spilled over into the heart of Saudi Arabia’s economic and religious infrastructure. The repeated strikes on airports and energy facilities demonstrate the Houthis’ capability to project power deep into Saudi territory, challenging the kingdom’s security perimeter. For regional markets, the uncertainty surrounding the duration and intensity of the conflict remains a key risk factor.

Investors are closely monitoring developments in Yemen and the potential for broader regional involvement, as the stability of the Gulf is inextricably linked to global energy markets and trade routes.

The Saudi government continues to assess the damage from the latest attacks, with safety inspections ongoing at both King Khalid and King Fahd International Airports. The closure of the Riyadh airport has forced the rerouting of flights and the cancellation of numerous departures, causing significant disruption for travelers and businesses.

The Houthi group’s claim of responsibility for the strikes on Aramco facilities adds another layer of complexity, as any damage to oil production or export capabilities could have immediate repercussions for global energy prices.

As the situation evolves, the focus remains on the potential for further escalation. The Saudi-led coalition’s vow of a firm response suggests that military operations in Yemen will continue, potentially leading to more strikes on Houthi-held areas. The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has shown no signs of easing its attacks, with Sarea’s warnings indicating that the campaign against Saudi infrastructure is ongoing.

The international community is watching closely, with calls for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions growing louder as the human and economic toll of the conflict mounts.

The incident underscores the fragility of peace in the region and the significant risks posed by non-state actors with advanced weaponry. For Malaysia and other ASEAN nations, the conflict serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global security and economic stability. The potential for US military involvement could shift the balance of power in the region, with unpredictable consequences for regional alliances and trade dynamics.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether the conflict can be contained or if it will expand into a broader regional war.

The Saudi civil aviation authority’s ongoing assessments of the damage at the airports will be crucial in determining the timeline for reopening the facilities. The safety of passengers and staff remains a top priority, with strict inspections being conducted to ensure that the airports meet all safety standards before resuming operations.

The Houthi attacks have not only caused physical damage but have also instilled a sense of insecurity among travelers and residents, potentially affecting tourism and business activity in the kingdom.

The diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict are ongoing, with various international actors engaging in dialogue with the parties involved. The US, as a key ally of Saudi Arabia, is under pressure to take a decisive stance against the Houthis. However, any military intervention must be carefully weighed against the risks of further escalation and the potential for a wider regional conflict.

The situation remains fluid, with new developments emerging daily as the conflict in Yemen intensifies.

The attacks on Saudi airports and energy facilities have highlighted the need for enhanced security measures and improved coordination among regional states to counter the threat posed by the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition’s military response, combined with diplomatic efforts, aims to deter further attacks and restore stability to the region.

The international community’s support for these efforts will be crucial in ensuring that the conflict does not spiral out of control and that the global economy is protected from the fallout.

As the dust settles on the latest attacks, the focus shifts to the long-term implications of the conflict for the region and the world. The resilience of Saudi infrastructure and the effectiveness of its defense systems will be tested in the coming weeks, as the Houthis continue their campaign of strikes.

The international community must remain vigilant and united in its efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, ensuring that the conflict does not have lasting negative effects on global security and prosperity.

Related: Aramco · King Khalid International Airport · Mohammed bin Salman · Riyadh