On Saturday, October 10, a missile hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Outlets report at least 12 dead and more than 300 injured (Straits Times, Manila Times); the BBC and CNA mention 13. The Houthis claimed responsibility (RTP). On Sunday the 11th there was a second attack: a Pakistani resident died and 11 people were injured, according to the Saudi aviation authority cited by Al Jazeera, Dawn and Saudi Gazette. An injured Indian later died, according to India’s embassy (New Straits Times). The United States and the United Kingdom urged their nationals to be cautious (Infobae) and the FAA warned airlines (Straits Times). The Saudi coalition said it intercepted another ballistic missile launched toward Khamis Mushait (FinancialJuice, Detik).
An attack on a civilian airport in the Saudi capital extends the regional war into the airspace of the Gulf’s main oil exporter. Saudi markets fell after the attack, according to Reuters, and airlines are already cancelling flights.
For Argentine readers the effect is indirect: more expensive crude and gas reach gasoline prices and utility rates with a lag, and tension in the Middle East weighs on emerging markets. Anyone with a trip with a Gulf stopover should check with their airline.
Saudi Arabia and its allies say these are terrorist attacks against civilians, condemned by the European Union and Pakistan.
The Houthis present the attacks as a response to the war and the blockade; some analysts fear the escalation will draw in the United States.
The death toll differs between outlets (12 or 13) and it is best to wait for the official count. Three things to watch: whether the airport reopens, whether the Houthis carry out their threat and whether the mediation attributed to Iran succeeds. On Monday oil fell anyway, a sign that traders gave priority to the Ukraine announcement and the possible mediation.
Straits Times, Manila Times, BBC, CNA, Al Jazeera, Dawn, Saudi Gazette, Infobae, El Mundo, CNBC (Oct 10–12, 2026)
A Houthi missile hit Riyadh airport, killing at least 12 and injuring more than 300; on Sunday a second attack killed one more person and Washington and London warned their citizens
Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, October 10 and threaten more. Saudi Arabia reported one more death and 11 injured on Sunday; oil fell on Monday on other news.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, was hit on Saturday, October 10 by a missile that left at least 12 dead and more than 300 injured, according to outlets such as Straits Times and Manila Times; the BBC and CNA put the toll at 13. It was the deadliest attack on Saudi soil since the war with Iran began, according to the Mirror. The Houthis, the Yemeni rebel movement allied with Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to RTP, and the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation suspended airport operations. Among the injured are Filipinos and Indians, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers and Indian media.
On Sunday the 11th came a second blow. The aviation authority reported one dead, a Pakistani resident, and 11 injured, according to Al Jazeera, Dawn and Saudi Gazette. The Houthis renewed their threats against Saudi airports, and Kuwait Airways joined the airlines cancelling flights, according to El Mundo. The United States and the United Kingdom issued alerts for their citizens, according to Infobae, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged caution to US airlines flying to or over Saudi Arabia, according to Straits Times. Iran reportedly offered to mediate between the Houthis and Riyadh, according to CNBC; DailyDrop saw no official confirmation. Final casualty figures are not yet settled.