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Riyadh airport attack kills at least 12, injures more than 300, Saudi authorities say
A Riyadh airport attack killed 12 people and injured over 300, as regional tensions escalated.
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An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others, Saudi authorities said. Some of the injured were in critical condition, according to the statement.
The dead included four Saudi citizens and nationals of Bangladesh, Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. The attack comes amid escalating strikes on Saudi Arabia as the Iran war widens across the region.
Airport operations suspended
Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended operations at Riyadh airport following the attack and began assessing the damage and injuries. An official aviation notice said the suspension would remain in place until midnight.
Flights were diverted to other airports, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. Several airlines had already suspended services to Riyadh and other Saudi airports amid growing security concerns.
The attack came days after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for earlier strikes on the airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot, according to the Associated Press. A regional official said a missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, on Saturday.
Iran war widens regional tensions
The latest attack comes amid a surge in strikes targeting Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure. The escalation followed a major military offensive by a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in Yemen.
US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether Washington should join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Asked about possible intervention, Trump said the administration would assess the latest attack before making a decision.
The Houthis have also accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport, in Yemen's Houthi-controlled capital. Fighting between the rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has intensified, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support to government forces.
Also Read: Trump weighs joining the fight against Houthis after Saudi capital's airport is struck again
The attacks have also disrupted air travel. FlightAware recorded at least 291 cancellations at Riyadh airport over the preceding 24 hours, while aviation authorities warned of increased risks to civilian aircraft operating in Saudi airspace.
Saudi authorities have also cautioned the public against filming or sharing information about missile and drone interceptions and their impact sites, warning that doing so could carry legal consequences.
With AP inputs
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