Deadly Houthi Drone and Missile Strikes Hit Saudi Airports in Abha and Riyadh

A series of coordinated missile and drone attacks targeted civilian aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, resulting in three fatalities and dozens of injuries. The strikes hit Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, marking a serious military escalation in the region.

Casualties and Damage at Abha International Airport

According to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the cross-border strikes against Abha International Airport resulted in the deaths of a Moroccan woman and an Algerian woman. At least 28 other individuals sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. The wounded include Saudi citizens as well as foreign residents, notably from Bangladesh and the Philippines.

First responders deployed rapidly to transport the injured to nearby medical facilities. Authorities confirmed that the strikes also inflicted physical damage on the terminal and airfield installations, the full scale of which is currently under evaluation.

Simultaneous Attack on Riyadh’s International Airport

In a coordinated offensive, King Khalid International Airport in the capital city of Riyadh was also struck. The incident claimed the life of a Sudanese national and left eight others injured, including five Saudis, two Egyptians, and one Pakistani national. The assault disrupted scheduled flights and caused infrastructural damage, prompting aviation regulators to initiate urgent safety inspections.

Responsibility and Military Response

Yemen’s Houthi movement officially claimed responsibility for deploying ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones against both transport hubs, threatening further attacks against civilian and military infrastructure across the Kingdom. In response, Saudi defense officials announced the detection and destruction of a ballistic missile launch site allegedly used in the Riyadh offensive.

The attacks coincide with an intensification of clashes inside Yemen between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition.