More wounded in attack on Riyadh airport
Airport operations have been temporarily suspended; there is still no clarity about the perpetrator or the exact number of wounded.
Follow-up to: Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42
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Riyadh International Airport was attacked again on Saturday. According to the Saudi aviation authority, several people were wounded and operations have been temporarily suspended to assess the damage and evaluate the safety of the facilities.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attack took place on Saturday afternoon at King Khalid International Airport. The authority did not disclose an exact number of wounded. It has also not yet been established who was responsible for the latest attack. The airport warned travellers to consult their airline and check their flight status before setting off for the airport.
The attack follows Thursday's events, when, according to the Saudi aviation authority, two attacks targeted airport facilities and an aircraft belonging to the state-owned airline Saudia. Three Saudi civilians were killed and several people were wounded. The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for those earlier attacks, but Riyadh did not identify a perpetrator in its official statement on the deaths.
The Houthis are an armed movement in Yemen fighting the Saudi-backed government in Aden. The group has previously said it attacks Saudi targets in response to the military campaign by Saudi Arabia and its allies in Yemen. According to AP and Reuters, there was no new claim of responsibility for Saturday's attack.
Airlines had already cancelled or suspended flights to Riyadh after the earlier incidents. Reuters reported on Saturday that Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, among others, cancelled multiple services. Some flight cancellations were expected to last until Monday. The disruption therefore affects not only travellers but also an airport that is an important hub for the Saudi capital.
The Saudi authorities say they first want to establish the damage and the safety of the complex. As a result, it is currently impossible to determine whether the attack directly hit a terminal, a runway or another part of the airport. It is also not yet clear when regular air traffic will resume.
The latest attack increases pressure on Saudi Arabia to improve protection for civil aviation and on the parties involved to prevent further escalation. A confirmed account of what happened is still lacking. Reports about the weapons used, the target and responsibility should therefore for now be assessed cautiously.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Saudi aviation authority reported an attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday.
- Several people were wounded and airport operations were temporarily suspended.
- The exact number of wounded and responsibility had not yet been established.
- According to the Saudi authorities, three Saudi civilians were killed in earlier attacks on the airport.
Left
Arguments The protection of civilians and civil aviation must come first. A military response by Saudi Arabia or its allies could increase the escalation; at the same time, the consequences of the Saudi military campaign in Yemen must also be considered.
Values Civilian protection, international law, diplomacy and accountability for all parties.
Consequences A rapid retaliatory action could cause more attacks and greater humanitarian damage, while a lack of diplomatic pressure could further undermine civilian safety.
Centre
Arguments Saudi Arabia must secure the airport and support an independent investigation into the attack. At the same time, restraint is needed as long as responsibility has not been established.
Values The rule of law, proportionality, institutional reliability and regional stability.
Consequences Additional security and temporary flight restrictions could protect travellers, but would cause economic damage and disrupt regional connections.
Right
Arguments An attack on an international airport calls for a clear deterrent response. Saudi Arabia has the right to defend its territory and strategic infrastructure and should ask its allies for support.
Values National sovereignty, security, order and credible deterrence.
Consequences A forceful response could deter further attacks, but also carries the risk of a wider war and prolonged disruption to aviation and trade.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on a statement by the Saudi aviation authority and independent reporting by AP, Al Jazeera and Reuters. Uncertainties about the number of wounded, the damage and responsibility are explicitly included in the text.
- confirmed King Khalid International Airport was attacked again on Saturday. — The Saudi aviation authority and AP report a new attack on the airport. source
- confirmed Several people were wounded in the latest attack. — This is stated in the Saudi aviation authority's statement and reported by Al Jazeera. source
- confirmed Airport operations were temporarily suspended. — The Saudi aviation authority reported a temporary suspension for damage and safety assessments. source
- confirmed Three Saudi civilians were killed in Thursday's earlier attacks. — This number appears in the earlier statement by the Saudi aviation authority. source
- confirmed The Houthi movement claimed the earlier attacks. — AP and Al Jazeera report that the Houthis claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, not for the latest attack. source
- confirmed Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways cancelled multiple flights to Riyadh. — Reuters reported cancellations and diversions after the latest attack. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the Saudi aviation authority reported an attack, several wounded people and a temporary suspension of airport operations on Saturday. The exact number of wounded, the nature of the damage and the responsible party had not yet been established at the time of publication.Sources
- Aanval op King Khalid International Airport en tijdelijke opschorting van activiteiten — Saudi Press Agency
- Airport in Saudi capital attacked again — Associated Press
- Attack on airport in Saudi capital leaves several injured — Al Jazeera
- Loud blast heard at Riyadh airport as airlines cancel more flights — Reuters via Internazionale
- Aanvallen op luchthaven Riyad kostten drie mensen het leven — Saudi Press Agency
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42 Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 05:43 Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 18:48 Riyadh Airport attacked again, flights cancelled
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 23:45 More wounded in attack on Riyadh airport (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
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