Riyadh: A Pakistani national was killed and 11 others were injured when a projectile struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, October 11, in another attack that has raised serious concerns about civilian safety and air travel in Saudi Arabia. The incident came just a day after a deadly missile strike on the same airport killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the person killed in Sunday's attack was a Pakistani resident. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, while authorities began assessing the damage and conducting safety inspections at the airport.
The Saudi led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi movement said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4, causing a fire. The exact type of weapon used in the latest attack had not been confirmed.
The incident was part of a series of strikes targeting the airport in recent days. King Khalid International Airport has been attacked four times in five days, highlighting the growing danger to passengers, airport employees and aircraft.
Saturday's attack was particularly deadly. Saudi authorities initially reported that 12 people had been killed and more than 300 injured. India's embassy later confirmed that an Indian citizen had died from injuries sustained in the strike, raising the reported death toll to 13.
The victims included Saudi citizens and foreign nationals. The high number of casualties has increased concerns about the impact of the continuing conflict on civilians, particularly those using major transport facilities.
The attacks have also disrupted airport operations. Riyadh airport has remained closed since Saturday's missile strike, with authorities carrying out damage assessments and safety checks. The disruption has affected air travel at one of Saudi Arabia's major international airports.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities confirmed that King Fahd International Airport near Dammam, in the Eastern Province, had also been targeted. An eyewitness reported that a projectile struck an area near parked aircraft and caused a fire. The full extent of the damage and any casualties at Dammam had not been established.
Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near Riyadh airport, a drone in the Eastern Province and a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait, according to the Saudi led coalition. The reported interceptions indicate that the security threat extends beyond the capital.
Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Saudi airports and other facilities. However, Saudi coalition officials described the projectile involved in Sunday's Riyadh attack as unidentified, and independent confirmation of responsibility for that particular strike remained unclear.
The Houthis have also renewed their warning to airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace. The movement said the facilities could face further attacks unless Saudi Arabia stopped its military campaign in Yemen.
The warnings come amid an escalation in fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government, which receives military support from Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis control Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and several other areas of the country. The movement has been involved in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi led coalition and Yemeni government forces. Recent fighting has intensified around strategically important areas near Yemen's Red Sea coast.
The Houthis have also claimed attacks on facilities operated by Saudi energy company Aramco. However, those claims had not been independently confirmed, and the extent of any damage remained unclear.
The growing tensions have prompted international concern. Britain has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to several Saudi destinations, including Jeddah and Dammam, while US aviation authorities have warned airlines to exercise caution when operating in Saudi airspace.
Security concerns have also affected daily life in Riyadh. Authorities moved schools in the capital to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday as the country responded to the continuing threat of further attacks.
The developments have drawn reactions from several countries. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye condemned the attacks and called for an end to the violence, expressing support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalating security situation.
Diplomatic efforts are also continuing. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed Tehran's willingness to help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The offer comes as regional governments seek ways to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis. However, no decision confirming direct US military participation had been announced in the reports available.
The repeated attacks have raised wider concerns about regional stability, particularly because Saudi Arabia's airports serve large numbers of international passengers and play an important role in business and travel across the Middle East.
The escalation also comes at a sensitive time for the region's energy industry and commercial transport networks. Continued attacks on airports and other important facilities could create further disruption if the fighting intensifies.
For now, Saudi authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the latest strikes, while questions remain over the full impact of the attack on Dammam airport and the responsibility for Sunday's projectile strike in Riyadh.
The latest violence has placed civilian safety at the centre of the growing confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with further military action and diplomatic efforts likely to shape developments in the coming days.