Second Houthi strike on Riyadh airport in two days; Pakistan condemns it and reaffirms commitment under the defence pact
A second attack on King Khalid International Airport in two days hit Terminal 4 on 11 October (Saudi-led coalition via FinancialJuice; BBC; Bloomberg; Guardian). Saturday’s attack killed 12 (AP, Bloomberg), with more than 300 injured according to earlier reports. The Houthis claimed both the Riyadh attack and strikes on Dammam airport and Aramco sites; Saudi civil aviation confirmed Dammam airport was targeted. Dar condemned the attack and Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment under the Makkah pact (Geo News).
Repeated hits on civilian airports raise the odds of a wider regional war and of Saudi retaliation, and they raise the pressure on Pakistan to say what its pact commits it to.
Many Pakistanis work in or transit through Saudi Arabia. Check airline notices; Riyadh airport closure was extended after Saturday’s attack (AP).
Islamabad says it stands with its ally and wants the world to condemn attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Critics warn that being drawn into Yemen’s war would be costly and that Pakistan’s precise role is still unclear.
Condemnation is cheap; deployment is not. Watch whether Pakistan announces troops, whether Pakistani carriers suspend Riyadh flights, and how Saudi retaliation is aimed.
DailyDrop Pakistan edition No. 8 · Morning · MON., OCT. 12, 2026