Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh Airport Kills 12, Injures 309, Including Umrah Pilgrims

A deadly missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has killed at least 12 people and injured 309 others, including Muslim pilgrims travelling to perform Umrah in Mecca.

The attack occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, and caused significant damage at the airport, one of Saudi Arabia’s major international aviation hubs. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties, reporting that some of the injured were in critical condition and had been taken to hospitals for treatment.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi movement blamed the group for the strike. Subsequent reports said the death toll from Saturday’s attack rose to 13 after an Indian national died from injuries sustained in the incident.

The attack has raised particular concern because the airport serves travellers heading to Islam’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. According to reports, Umrah pilgrims were among those killed and injured while waiting to board flights. Umrah is the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at different times of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place during a specific period.

Among those killed was Bangladeshi Islamic scholar Nasrullah Al Badr, who was travelling with a group of pilgrims to perform Umrah. His death was reported by Gulf News on October 12. The incident has left families grieving and disrupted travel plans for pilgrims and other passengers.

Saudi Arabia’s military coalition accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of carrying out the attack and described the strike as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The attack occurred amid escalating hostilities involving the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The Houthis have previously threatened Saudi airports and warned airlines against using Saudi airspace, according to reporting by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The assault has heightened concerns about the security of civilian aviation infrastructure across the region, particularly as airports and other strategic facilities face increasing threats.

Following the deadly strike, Saudi authorities suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport while officials assessed the damage and addressed the emergency.

The disruption extended beyond the initial attack. On Sunday, October 11, another projectile struck the airport, killing one person and injuring 11 others, according to Saudi aviation authorities. The subsequent incident prolonged the disruption to airport operations.

Airlines also cancelled or diverted flights as authorities reviewed security conditions. The disruptions affected international travellers, including pilgrims and passengers connecting through Saudi Arabia.

The airport attack has intensified concerns about civilian safety as the conflict involving the Houthis and regional forces continues to escalate. Airports are essential to international travel, trade and religious pilgrimage. Attacks on these facilities can cause widespread disruption while exposing passengers, airport workers and other civilians to serious danger.

For Umrah pilgrims, the incident has brought uncertainty and tragedy to journeys undertaken for religious purposes. Families are awaiting information about loved ones, while authorities continue to manage the aftermath and assess security risks. The latest developments underline the growing threat to civilian infrastructure in the region and the potential consequences for international aviation and religious travel.