In brief
CCTV footage of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reveals residents scrambling for shelter when a missile hits, leaving 14 dead and more than 300 injured. The attack, part of a series of assaults earlier in the week, has been claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement, which also targeted oil facilities and Dammam airport. Saudi officials have condemned the strike and pledged enhanced security for all domestic airports, while the international community urges restraint amid escalating tensions in the region. Human rights groups warn of the civilian toll and call for an immediate cease‑fire to protect non‑combatants.
The flash of a missile over Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport rattled the city on Saturday, a moment captured on CCTV as thousands of travelers and staff hurried to cover. The footage shows a burst of smoke and debris erupting, with passengers clutching trolleys and staff moving passengers into cramped shelters.
Official reports confirm 14 fatalities and over 300 injuries. The strike is the latest in a string of attacks that have plagued Saudi borders this week, with the Yemeni Houthi movement claiming responsibility for missiles, drones and gunfire across the kingdom’s airfields.
In a televised statement, Houthi spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned the Saudi government that “all airports except those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina” are potential targets, vowing to continue operations “deep inside Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi officials have denounced the attack as a violation of international law and urged neighboring states to strengthen regional security, saying the airport will be shut for repairs and ongoing security checks will be intensified. The incident further strains an already volatile geopolitical landscape, raising concerns over an expanded conflict that could affect global oil supply and regional stability.
Humanitarian groups emphasize the civilian casualty toll, calling for immediate cease‑fire and protection of non‑combatants. While the international community has condemned the missile strike, calls for diplomatic resolution have grown louder as the region grapples with mounting tensions and a fragile peace process.
