Saudi Arabia vowed retaliation against the Houthis after an airport strike killed at least 12 people, according to The Washington Post. The attack occurred at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which was also targeted in a separate strike on Sunday, killing a Pakistani resident and injuring 11 others, as reported by CNN. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for the attacks, citing Saudi airstrikes in Yemen as a provocation.
The strikes intensified regional tensions, with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia responding to the violence. A U.S. official confirmed an American was among the casualties in the Saturday attack, which injured more than 300 people, according to Fox News. Saudi authorities said they intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, while the Houthis warned of further attacks on Saudi airports and other infrastructure.
Houthis Claim Responsibility, Urge Airport Avoidance
The Houthis stated they targeted Saudi airports in response to an intensified Saudi air campaign in Yemen, which they alleged caused civilian casualties. In a statement, the group threatened to continue attacking airports and other sites, citing Saudi warplanes launching 124 airstrikes in the previous 24 hours. They also claimed to have struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, though Saudi authorities confirmed the attack and began damage assessments.
Countries Express Condolences Over Casualties
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh expressed sorrow over the casualties, offering condolences to families and wishing recovery for the injured. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, calling for an end to the violence. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled openness to U.S. involvement in Saudi Arabia’s campaign against the Houthis, stating, “We may. We’re gonna look at it. We move very quickly.”
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that the airport was temporarily closed after the strikes, leading to the cancellation of over 600 flights. The World Petroleum Congress, scheduled to begin in Riyadh, proceeded as planned, though some attendees reconsidered their participation amid the security concerns.
More on Saudi Arabia
Keep reading