One Killed and 11 Injured in Latest Attack on Riyadh Airport

Reuters

A large plume of black smoke rises from a fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 19, 2026.

One person was killed and 11 others injured after a projectile struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, 11 October, according to Saudi authorities, a day after a separate attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the latest incident caused damage to airport facilities and that assessments and safety inspections were under way in coordination with the relevant authorities. The person killed was identified as a Pakistani national, according to subsequent reports. 

The Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen said the projectile struck Terminal 4, causing a fire. Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, while a drone was intercepted in the country’s Eastern Province, according to the coalition.

The latest incident followed a deadly attack on Saturday, 10 October, which Saudi authorities said killed 12 people and injured more than 300 at the airport. The casualties included Saudi citizens and foreign nationals. Airport operations were suspended as authorities assessed the damage and reviewed security arrangements. 

Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack and warned airlines and travellers against using Saudi airports. The group also claimed attacks on Dammam airport and facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Aramco. These claims could not be independently verified in full. 

The repeated attacks have raised concerns over civilian aviation security and the potential impact on regional travel and energy infrastructure. Several governments have issued travel warnings, while airlines have faced disruption amid the heightened security situation. 

The incidents come amid renewed fighting between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen, raising concerns that the conflict could further affect security across the region and important international transport routes.

Sources: Reuters, AP, and Al Jazeera

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