RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport was attacked for the second day running on Sunday, when a projectile struck Terminal 4 and started a fire, a day after a strike killed 13 and wounded more than 300. The Saudi-led coalition said a cruise missile was also intercepted near the airport, and the aviation authority confirmed Dammam's airport had been attacked too.
The Riyadh airport attack is the fourth strike on the airport in a single week. The hub has been shut since Saturday, more than 600 flights have been cancelled, and there is no word on when one of the Middle East's busiest airports will reopen.
Quick Answer: Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport was attacked again on Sunday, October 11, 2026, a day after a strike killed 13 people. The Saudi-led coalition said a projectile hit Terminal 4, starting a fire and injuring people, while air defences intercepted a cruise missile nearby. The aviation authority also confirmed an attack on Dammam's airport.
Riyadh airport second attack: what happened on Sunday
The Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's government said an "unidentified projectile" targeted Terminal 4 on Sunday, causing a fire — the coalition deliberately did not say who fired it. Saudi air defences separately intercepted a cruise missile in the airport's vicinity.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attack "resulted in injuries," without giving a number, with damage assessment and safety verification under way. The airport was already closed, so no scheduled passengers were inside — but the fire shows the attackers can still reach the capital's main gateway at will.
Then a second front opened: the aviation authority confirmed that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in the Eastern Province, had also been attacked on Sunday evening. The assault was not limited to Riyadh.
Houthi claims: what the group says it did
In a televised speech on Sunday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday's strike — and claimed the group had also hit Dammam airport and two Aramco facilities, the Shugadam gas site and the Tanajib refinery. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the Aramco claims; Reuters said it had asked the Saudi media office and Aramco for comment.
Earlier, Saree had warned airlines and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, saying they were "subject to targeting." The Houthis framed the campaign as retaliation for intensified Saudi bombing in Yemen, claiming 124 Saudi air strikes in the previous 24 hours — an unverified figure. Their foreign ministry warned that unless Riyadh stopped its Yemen campaign, "worse is yet to come, God willing."
Saturday's strike: the deadliest attack in over a decade
Saturday's strike killed 13 and wounded 309 — the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade, and the third on the airport in a week. Four people had already died in two earlier strikes, one of which heavily damaged a parked Saudi commercial plane.
The dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and nationals of the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt; an Indian citizen hurt in the blast died on Sunday, taking the toll from 12 to 13. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed an American was among the dead.
The fallout has been fast: Riyadh's schools are on remote learning through Thursday, Germany is scrambling to get its economy minister home, and a planned international energy conference still opened on Sunday about 10 kilometres from the airport — Italy's energy minister joined by video link.
World reacts as pressure builds on Washington
UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply shocked"; the EU's Kaja Kallas called it an "appalling act of terror" and said EU foreign ministers would take up the crisis on Monday. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Syria condemned the attacks; Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif called them "completely unacceptable," and Turkey — which signed a defence pact with Riyadh in August — declared solidarity.
Washington is now the pivot. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the US was weighing joining Saudi strikes on the Houthis: "We may. We're going to look at it. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly." He also said he would speak to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — a call that had still not happened by Sunday night. His Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said the administration did not expect "kinetic engagement" with Iran until after the November 3 midterms.
Why it matters
Four strikes on one airport in a week is a sustained campaign, and it is exposing gaps in the air defences of one of the best-armed states on earth. The Houthis have shown they can repeatedly hit the Saudi capital, close its main airport and kill foreign nationals — and each successful strike raises the price of the kingdom's Yemen campaign.
For airlines, Saudi airspace around Riyadh and Dammam is effectively a conflict zone. For the region, the nightmare is escalation: a US decision to join the strikes would drag Washington, Iran, Red Sea shipping and oil markets deeper into the fight.
What happens next
Will the Trump–MBS call happen, and will America join the air war? Will the coalition's promised "firm response" mean heavier bombing of Yemen? And will the Houthis deliver on their threat that worse is coming? EU foreign ministers meet Monday, and Red Sea naval missions face fresh scrutiny.
Then there is the airport itself: it needs a full damage and safety assessment before reopening, and every closed day costs airlines, travellers and the kingdom's reputation. Related coverage: GlobalDeskNews reported Saturday's deadly strike, the confirmed toll of 12 killed and 309 wounded, and the coalition's vow of a firm response.
Key Takeaways
- Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport was attacked again on Sunday — a projectile hit Terminal 4, causing a fire and injuries, with a cruise missile intercepted nearby.
- Saudi Arabia's aviation authority also confirmed an attack on Dammam's King Fahd International Airport on Sunday evening; damage is being assessed.
- It is the fourth strike on the Riyadh airport in a week, after Saturday's attack killed 13 and wounded 309 — the deadliest on the kingdom in over a decade.
- The Houthis claimed Saturday's strike and claimed hits on Dammam and two Aramco sites; the Aramco claims are unconfirmed by Saudi Arabia.
- Trump is weighing US strikes on the Houthis ("We may. We're going to look at it") and still plans to call MBS; no US decision yet.
- Over 600 flights are cancelled, the airport is closed indefinitely, and Riyadh schools are on remote learning through Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Riyadh airport on Sunday?
The Saudi-led coalition said an "unidentified projectile" struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, causing a fire and injuries. Air defences intercepted a cruise missile nearby. The aviation authority later confirmed Dammam's airport was also attacked. The airport had already been closed since Saturday's deadly strike.
How many people were killed in the Riyadh airport attacks?
Saturday's strike killed 13 people and wounded 309, Saudi authorities said. The dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, an American, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, a Palestinian, a Sudanese and an Indian citizen who died of his injuries on Sunday. Four more people were killed in two earlier attacks on the airport this week.
Did the Houthis claim the Sunday attack?
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday's strike in a televised speech and claimed the group also hit Dammam airport and two Aramco facilities. The coalition described Sunday's projectile as "unidentified," and there is no Saudi confirmation of the claimed Aramco hits.
Is Riyadh airport closed now?
Yes, it is closed. King Khalid International Airport has been shut since Saturday's attack, with more than 600 flights cancelled, according to CNN. Saudi aviation authorities say damage assessment and safety verification are under way, but no reopening date has been announced yet.
Will the US join strikes against the Houthis?
President Trump said on Saturday the US was considering it: "We may. We're going to look at it." No decision has been announced. His Treasury Secretary said the administration does not expect military engagement with Iran until after the November 3 midterms. Trump also said he would speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
What are airlines and travellers being told?
The Houthis warned airlines and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace. The UK Foreign Office had already advised British citizens against travel to Riyadh after an earlier attack this week, and several airlines have cancelled or rerouted flights while the airports stay shut.
Sources
- Reuters (via ThePrint), "Saudi Arabia reports injuries in new attack at Riyadh airport, day after strike kills 13," Oct 11, 2026 — link
- The National, "Riyadh airport attacked again after Houthi missile strike that killed 13 and injured hundreds," Oct 11, 2026 — link
- Al Jazeera, "Iran war live: Injuries after new Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's airport," Oct 11, 2026 — link
- CNN, "Saudi airport struck again, causing injuries, a day after deadly attack killed at least 12 and wounded hundreds," Oct 11, 2026 — link
By GlobalDeskNews Staff