Saudi Arabia vows serious response after airport attacks
A new strike was reported at Dammam airport as Riyadh assessed damage and disrupted flights.
There is news on this story (Monday, 12 October 2026, 14:13): Fresh attack extends Riyadh airport closure
Update
Saudi authorities said an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. Saudi Arabia blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels, while the Saudi-led coalition pledged a firm response. (AP, The Guardian)
Saudi Arabia’s energy minister has called for a serious response after a wave of attacks on the kingdom’s airports. The latest escalation included a reported strike on an airport in Dammam and continuing disruption at Riyadh’s main international airport.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the recent events had tested Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and resilience and that the kingdom’s response would need to be equally serious. His comments came after repeated attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi aviation facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said King Fahd International Airport in Dammam had been targeted on Sunday evening. The authority said damage assessments and safety inspections were under way, but did not give a casualty figure or specify the weapon involved.
The attacks have also affected King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi authorities said a strike on Saturday killed 12 people and injured 309, while a further attack on Sunday killed one person and injured 11. Reuters reported a slightly different death toll for the Saturday attack, illustrating the uncertainty around early casualty figures.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for several attacks on Saudi targets. The group has also warned airlines against using Saudi airports. Those claims have not all been independently verified, and Saudi officials have separately blamed the Houthis for the attacks.
Regional governments condemned the strikes. Reuters reported that Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia described them as a dangerous escalation and supported Saudi measures to counter further attacks. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis also promised a firm response.
The crisis has disrupted international aviation. Reuters, citing aviation-analytics company Cirium, reported that about 60% of scheduled flights at Riyadh airport were expected to be cancelled on Monday, after almost all scheduled flights were cancelled there on Sunday.
The attacks also prompted claims of Saudi air strikes in Yemen. The Houthis’ health ministry said strikes on Sana’a killed one person and injured 12, while Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment, according to The Associated Press. The competing claims underline the risk of further escalation and the difficulty of independently confirming events in the conflict zone.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Saudi airports have been targeted in a series of recent attacks.
- The Houthis have claimed responsibility for several strikes.
- Saudi officials have promised a response and regional governments have condemned the attacks.
- Reports of alleged Saudi strikes in Yemen remain disputed.
Left
Arguments The priority should be stopping attacks on civilians and ending the wider war rather than escalating retaliation. Saudi Arabia’s military response risks further harm in Yemen and may deepen the cycle of attacks.
Values Protection of civilians, international law and diplomacy.
Consequences A military response could expand the conflict, disrupt aid and make a negotiated settlement harder to achieve.
Centre
Arguments Saudi Arabia has a legitimate duty to protect airports and civilians, but any response should be proportionate, clearly evidenced and coordinated with international diplomacy.
Values Collective security, civilian protection and institutional accountability.
Consequences Targeted defensive measures and renewed negotiations could contain the crisis, whereas an uncoordinated escalation could affect aviation, shipping and regional stability.
Right
Arguments Repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure require credible deterrence. Saudi Arabia and its partners should use force if necessary to prevent the Houthis from making airports and strategic facilities unsafe.
Values National sovereignty, deterrence and protection of critical infrastructure.
Consequences A firm response may reduce future attacks, but failure to establish clear limits could invite wider regional involvement.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Priya Shah — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article consistently attributes claims to Saudi authorities, the Houthis, AP or Reuters and flags the discrepancy in reported casualty totals. The latest airport targeting and ministerial remarks fall within the required 48-hour window.
- confirmed Saudi Arabia’s energy minister called for a serious response after the attacks. — Reuters reported the minister’s remarks on 12 October 2026. source
- confirmed King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was targeted on 11 October. — The Saudi Press Agency published the General Authority of Civil Aviation statement. source
- confirmed Saudi authorities reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries in the Saturday Riyadh airport attack. — The Associated Press attributed those figures to Saudi civil aviation authorities. source
- confirmed A further Sunday attack killed one person and injured 11. — AP reported the figures from Saudi authorities. source
- confirmed About 60% of scheduled Riyadh flights were expected to be cancelled on Monday. — Reuters reported the estimate, citing aviation-analytics company Cirium. source
- confirmed The Houthis’ health ministry reported one death and 12 injuries from alleged strikes in Sana’a. — AP attributed the figures to a spokesman for the Houthi-run health ministry and noted that Saudi Arabia had not immediately responded. source
Editor's note
The airport targeting and official Saudi statements are supported by Saudi authorities, AP and Reuters. Casualty figures differ between reports, so the article attributes each figure and avoids treating disputed totals as settled.Sources
- Airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, drone hits vessel in Strait of Hormuz, and other Mideast developments — The Associated Press
- GACA: Attack Targets King Fahd International Airport in Dammam — Saudi Press Agency
- Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia condemn Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport — Reuters, republished by Investing.com
- Saudi minister says ‘serious’ response to attacks needed; 60% of flights at Riyadh airport to be canceled — Reuters, republished by The Times of Israel
The story so far
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 13:11 Saudi Arabia vows serious response after airport attacks (this article)
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 14:13 Fresh attack extends Riyadh airport closure
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