Saudi Arabia Vows Response Following Deadly Houthi Strike on Riyadh Airport

A missile strike attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 300. The attack targeted the airport’s terminal area, causing extensive damage and prompting an emergency response from Saudi emergency services.

The casualty figures make the incident the deadliest strike on Saudi soil in a decade, according to officials monitoring the aftermath. Hospitals in the capital reported receiving hundreds of injured patients, many with serious injuries, while authorities worked to secure the site and evacuate survivors.

In the wake of the attack, Saudi Arabia announced that it would launch a “decisive” and “major” response against the Houthi forces. Government spokespeople described the airport strike as a “war crime” and said the kingdom would take appropriate measures to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of Yemen, has previously launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets as part of the broader conflict that began in 2015. This latest assault marks an escalation in the frequency and lethality of such strikes against Saudi infrastructure.

Saudi officials have not disclosed specific details of the planned retaliation, but the statement indicated that the response would be significant and aimed at preventing further attacks on the kingdom’s civilian sites. International observers noted the heightened tension in the region following the incident.