Saudi Arabia has suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after another attack Saturday left several people injured and forced authorities to evacuate parts of the facility. The country's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the closure while emergency crews assessed damage to airport infrastructure and worked to determine the full number of casualties.
The latest attack struck Saturday afternoon, marking another serious security incident at one of the kingdom's busiest international airports. A regional official told the Associated Press that a missile struck the complex housing Terminals 3 and 4, injuring passengers and prompting an emergency response. Authorities have not released a complete damage assessment or confirmed when normal operations will resume.
Flight Operations Suspended
The attack caused widespread disruption to commercial aviation, with at least 225 flights canceled over a 24-hour period. International carriers have suspended, canceled or diverted services to Riyadh as security concerns continue to affect Saudi airspace. An aviation notice issued Saturday listed the airport as unavailable until at least 21:00 UTC, or midnight local time, citing precautionary measures.
The closure follows multiple attacks earlier in the week, including strikes against airport facilities and a Saudia passenger aircraft. Three Saudi citizens, including an airline pilot, were killed in Thursday's attacks, while several others sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. A separate attack earlier in the week also killed a Sudanese resident.
The growing threat to civilian aviation has prompted foreign governments to issue security advisories for travelers in Saudi Arabia. The United States, United Kingdom and several other countries have urged their citizens to avoid the airport, while European aviation authorities have warned of increased risks from missile attacks and interception operations in Saudi airspace.
Washington Considers Military Involvement
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States could join Saudi-led military strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen following the latest attack. Asked whether Washington would participate in the campaign, Trump said, "We may. We're going to look at it," adding that a decision could be made quickly. No announcement authorizing direct U.S. military involvement has been made.
The developments come as Saudi Arabia intensifies its military campaign against the Houthis, targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, weapons storage facilities and command networks across Yemen. Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for earlier attacks against Saudi aviation and military infrastructure, although responsibility for Saturday's latest strike had not been formally established.
The repeated attacks are placing additional pressure on Saudi Arabia's air defenses and commercial aviation network as fighting in Yemen continues to intensify. With international airlines reassessing operations and further military action under consideration, the immediate priority remains securing the airport and determining when passenger services can safely resume.
Disruptions Extend to King Fahd International Airport
Flight disruptions have spread to eastern Saudi Arabia, where King Fahd International Airport in Dammam is facing reported operational restrictions following a projectile landing near the facility late Saturday. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki confirmed the incident, although authorities have not disclosed the projectile's origin or reported any casualties or damage. The development comes as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remains closed following repeated attacks, leaving two of the kingdom's major aviation hubs facing significant disruption. Dammam serves Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, home to much of the country's oil and energy infrastructure, making continued disruptions particularly consequential for domestic and international travel.
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