Saudi-Led Coalition and Houthi Spokesman: Strike on Riyadh Airport Killed 12 Including U.S. Citizen and October 11 Projectile Hit Terminal 4

SAUDI ARABIA — The Saudi-led coalition attributed an October 10 strike by Yemen’s Houthi forces on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people, including one U.S. citizen, and injured 309, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said.

The coalition called the strike a war crime. On October 11, an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at the same airport and caused a fire, the coalition’s spokesman said, while Saudi authorities reported injuries.

In a follow-up statement on October 12 the General Authority of Civil Aviation said the October 11 attack killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others, who were taken to hospital, and caused material damage still under assessment.

Houthi Military Claims Responsibility For The Attacks

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for operations including both sites. The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia issued security alerts on both days warning of the attacks, recommending that U.S. citizens avoid the airport and surrounding areas, and imposing special authorization requirements on U.S. government employees for travel through King Khalid, Jeddah, and Dammam airports.

Locations Affected

King Khalid International Airport lies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, approximately 24.96 N, 46.71 E. The October 10 strike hit the domestic terminals complex.

The October 11 projectile struck Terminal 4. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, approximately 26.47 N, 49.80 E, was also targeted on October 11 according to Houthi claims and U.S. alerts. Both airports serve major civilian passenger traffic.

Riyadh is the capital, and Dammam serves the Eastern Province oil region. The nearest major population centers are the cities themselves. Prior incidents at King Khalid this week included earlier strikes that killed three Saudi nationals including a pilot and damaged an aircraft.

Latest Developments

• On October 11 the Saudi-led coalition reported an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport and caused a fire.

• Saudi GACA confirmed a new attack that afternoon that produced injuries, with damage assessments underway, and on October 12 stated that the attack killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others.

• Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed four operations over 24 hours with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones against Riyadh and Dammam airports plus Aramco sites.

• The U.S. Mission issued a security alert on October 11 noting additional attacks on King Khalid and a targeted attack on King Fahd in Dammam, requiring special authorization for U.S. government employees at major airports.

• The R4 Group of four states issued a joint condemnation demanding an immediate halt and affirming support for Saudi defensive measures.

Official Levels

• U.S. Department of State travel advisory for Saudi Arabia remains Level 3 Reconsider Travel, citing drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and Iranian-supported Houthis, updated October 10 with no level change.

Official Statements

• Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, October 10: “The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the terrorist Houthis, including today’s strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that took numerous innocent lives, including an American citizen. These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now. We stand with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people and extend our condolences to the victims and their families.”

• U.S. Embassy Riyadh, October 12: “The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh is deeply saddened by the loss of life in the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport, which claimed the life of a U.S. citizen along with 12 others. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, and we wish a full and swift recovery to all those injured.”

• Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, October 11: “Further to its earlier statement regarding the attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, 2026, corresponding to 29 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448H, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) clarified that the attack resulted in 12 fatalities, including four Saudi citizens and residents of the following nationalities: two Bangladeshi, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian, and one Sudanese. The attack also left 309 others injured, including individuals in critical condition.”

• Major General Turki Al-Malki, Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, October 11: “Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport was struck by an unidentified projectile, resulting in a fire. The relevant authorities are currently responding to the incident.”

• R4 Group (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye), October 11: “The States of the R4 Group (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Türkiye) condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing hostile attacks perpetrated by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the heinous attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to civilian infrastructure and facilities, which constitute a blatant violation of international law.”