Tazeen Akhtar is Editor of Pakistan in the World Media Group Islamabad
The targeting of civilian airports in Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has entered its most dangerous phase in a decade. What began as sporadic drone attacks on border airports like Abha, Jizan and Najran has now escalated into direct ballistic missile strikes on the capital.
This is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, airports and passengers can never be justified.
On Saturday 10 October 2026 at around 3 pm, a missile fired by Houthis struck Terminal 3 and 4 at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), Riyadh. This is the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in over 10 years.
According to Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA):12 dead, later raised to 13 – including 4 Saudi citizens, 2 Bangladeshis, 1 American, 1 Egyptian, 1 Jordanian, 1 Syrian, 1 Palestinian, 1 Sudanese, and 1 Indian national who succumbed to injuries on Sunday.309 injured, many critical, including a French woman.291 flights cancelled, all operations suspended, airport closed till assessment.
Schools in Riyadh shifted to remote learning from Sunday to Thursday.
On Thursday 9 October, two previous attacks on the same airport killed 3 Saudis including a Saudia captain and damaged 3 aircraft on tarmac.
On Sunday 11 October, a fresh attack hit KKIA again. GACA confirmed an “unidentified projectile” hit Terminal 4, causing fire and injuries, while another cruise missile was intercepted.
The same day, a projectile fell near King Fahd International Airport, Dammam.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for 4 operations including Riyadh, Dammam and two Aramco facilities.The Houthis have declared Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina, a “theatre of military operations” and warned airlines to avoid it.
Chronology of Escalation
2015-2022: Saudi-led coalition intervenes in Yemen after Houthis capture Sanaa. Regular drone attacks on Saudi border airports.
April 2022: UN-brokered ceasefire freezes conflict.
Summer 2026: Ceasefire collapses. Houthis launch lightning offensive, capture Red Sea port of Mocha and Bab al-Mandeb Strait islands.
5 Oct 2026: Saudi-led coalition announces “Operation Dawn of Yemen” – air support for Yemeni government ground offensive to retake territory.
8-10 Oct 2026: Daily Houthi missile/drone attacks on Abha, Najran, Jizan airports. Three dead.
10 Oct: Deadly strike on Riyadh KKIA – 12 killed, 309 wounded.
11 Oct: Second strike on Riyadh + Dammam.
Coalition says it destroyed 136 Houthi military targets in Saada.
Why attacks on Riyadh Matter?
This crosses a red line – from military to purely civilian targets. KKIA serves 8 million people and is a hub for Hajj/Umrah travel. It threatens global aviation safety and Red Sea navigation. It comes just before major summits planned in Riyadh.
Who Has Condemned the Attacks
The international condemnation has been near unanimous:
United Nations: Secretary General Antonio Guterres said “I am deeply shocked by & strongly condemn Saturday’s lethal attack by the Houthis. Attacks on civilians & civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately.”
UN Envoy Hans Grundberg called it a “grave escalation”
United States: Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks by the terrorist Houthis, including today’s strike on King Khalid International Airport that took numerous innocent lives, including an American citizen. These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life.”
President Trump said “We may” join Saudi retaliation.
European Union & UK: EU President Ursula von der Leyen: “Attacks by Iran’s proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence.”
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he was “appalled”.
GCC: Qatar called it a “serious violation of Saudi sovereignty and a direct threat to security of the region” and said Saudi security is integral to Qatar’s security.
UAE condemned “in the strongest terms” and said it is a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty.
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman also condemned.
OIC & Arab League: OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission said attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports are flagrant violations of international human rights law.
Council of Arab Interior Ministers also condemned.
Pakistan: PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “heinous attack” and expressed full solidarity.
Turkey: Foreign Ministry: “Actions that threaten regional security and stability and undermine international community’s joint efforts to establish peace must be ended immediately. We support Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry expressed “strong condemnation” – one Egyptian flight attendant among dead.
Palestine declared “full solidarity with sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim, Canada’s PM Mark Carney, India’s MEA said “repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable.”
Russia said situation can only be resolved through diplomatic means.
Somalia, Uruguay and others also condemned as violation of international law and threat to freedom of navigation.
Conclusion: The Houthi strategy of “a blockade for a blockade” – if Sanaa airport is closed, so will be Riyadh – is dangerous and counterproductive. It punishes millions of civilians, pilgrims and foreign workers, not combatants.
The States of the R4 Group (The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Türkiye) condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing hostile attacks perpetrated by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the heinous attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to civilian infrastructure and facilities, which constitute a blatant violation of international law.
The Group reaffirms that these attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, posing a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of civilians, and it is a dangerous escalation that cannot be justified or accepted under any pretext.
The Group further reaffirms its solidarity with and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its full support for all legitimate measures and steps it takes to counter these attacks, deter the sources of their threats, and prevent their recurrence, in defense of the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and in protection of the safety of its citizens and residents, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
The Group holds the Houthi militia fully accountable for the results of these attacks and any repercussions that come with it that threaten regional and international peace and security, and demands the immediate and unconditional halt of these attacks.
Pakistan in the World media group Islamabad condemns the attacks on King Khalid International Airport and all civilian infrastructure. We stand in solidarity with the victims’ families and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while calling for an immediate cessation of attacks and return to UN-led political process in Yemen.
