Riyadh airport attacked a second time in two days as Houthis claim Dammam and Aramco sites; Saudi Arabia vows a major response
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again on Sunday 11 October, a day after a missile strike that killed 12 people and wounded 309, according to Saudi authorities quoted by the Washington Post. The BBC called it the second strike in two days. The Saudi-led coalition said the new attack caused a fire (Mint), the Inquirer reported that a terminal was reportedly struck, and AP and Politico reported that the airport's closure was extended. Saudi Arabia vowed a major response (Washington Post). The Houthis claimed the first strike; Le Monde reported them announcing large-scale operations against airports and energy sites, and FinancialJuice, a market news feed, quoted them as saying they hit Dammam airport and Aramco facilities. Saudi civil aviation said Dammam airport was targeted on Sunday evening.
Two attacks on a capital's main airport in two days, and a claim against oil infrastructure, move the war from a regional conflict towards air travel and oil supply worldwide.
Flights routed through Saudi airports may be cancelled or diverted; check with your airline before going to the airport. Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia should follow their embassy's advice. Higher oil prices would feed into the pump prices EPRA sets, with its next review due on Wednesday 14 October.
Saudi Arabia says it will respond and treats the attacks as an assault on civilians and civil aviation.
The Houthis say they are answering Saudi-led military action in Yemen and warn airlines and travellers to avoid Saudi airports (Reuters).
Treat the Dammam and Aramco damage as a claim until Saudi authorities or Aramco confirm it. The things to watch are Monday's oil opening in Asia and whether the United States joins any Saudi strikes.
DailyDrop Kenya edition No. 8 · Morning · MON., OCT. 12, 2026