October 11, 2026
The Saudi Ministry of Defense vowed a “firm” response to the attack launched by the Houthi militias that targeted one of the passenger lounges at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, confirming that there were deaths and injuries among civilians, including travelers and workers at the airport.
In an official statement, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, explained that the “cowardly terrorist attack” that occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, is considered a “full-fledged war crime” according to international humanitarian law and its customary rules, describing it as a heinous act that contradicts all principles, values and morals.
Al-Maliki stressed that the Kingdom will take a firm and appropriate response that is consistent with the provisions of international humanitarian law and its customary rules to respond to this attack.
In light of the attack, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the temporary suspension of operational operations at King Khalid International Airport, pending assessment of the damage and verification of the safety of vital facilities.
In the same context, these field developments prompted a number of foreign embassies to issue urgent warnings to their citizens, asking them to be careful and avoid heading to the airport and its surrounding areas until further notice.
