On Saturday, Oct 10, 2026, a missile fired by Iran‑backed Houthi rebels struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport at 1200 GMT, injuring at least five people in intensive care and dozens more, according to a local hospital source. The strike forced an immediate evacuation and a temporary halt to all flights, with Saudi authorities confirming the attack hours later.
In the wake of the attack, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Germany and France issued travel warnings. "We strongly recommend all U.S. citizens avoid Riyadh Airport until it is secure," the U.S. embassy in Riyadh posted on X. The British Foreign Office urged its nationals to stay away from the airport and monitor Saudi advisories, while Canada’s mission cautioned against using the airport for a week.
The Saudi civil aviation authority released a statement: "The attack left several people injured, with the number still being assessed." It added that the airport would remain closed until security conditions are met, and that flights were suspended pending a full safety review.
The incident follows a string of Houthi attacks against Saudi infrastructure, including a deadly strike on Thursday that earlier this week the rebels claimed. Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the United States and Israel in the Yemen conflict, has been supplying military support to the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
The embassies expect the airport to reopen once the civil aviation authority declares the site secure; meanwhile, travelers are advised to heed local authorities and use alternative airports. The next diplomatic briefing is scheduled for Friday, as officials assess the broader security implications.