3 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia Closes Riyadh Airport After Deadly Houthi Attack
A missile attack hit an airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, on Saturday.
Saudi officials said 12 people died and more than 300 were hurt.
The airport stayed closed on Sunday, and schools in Riyadh moved to online classes for the week.
Yemen's Houthi group warned people not to use Saudi airports or airspace, except in Mecca and Medina.
The group did not immediately say it carried out Saturday's attack.
US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether America would join Saudi attacks on the Houthis.
The Houthi-run health ministry also said a child died in a suspected Saudi airstrike in Sanaa.
The attacks come as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified.
Saudi Arabia extended the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport until at least 9 p.m. Sunday and moved schools in the capital online through the end of the week.
Saudi authorities said Saturday's airport attack killed 12 people, including citizens of several countries, and injured more than 300.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, with Mecca and Medina excepted.
US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States would join Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
The Houthi-run health ministry reported a child killed and six people wounded in a suspected Saudi strike on a house in Sanaa; Saudi authorities had not immediately commented.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, Yemen's Houthi rebels, and people affected by the Riyadh airport attack.
- What
- Saudi Arabia closed Riyadh's main airport and moved schools online after an attack that Saudi authorities said killed 12 and injured more than 300.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; a separate suspected Saudi strike was reported in Sanaa, Yemen.
- When
- The airport attack occurred Saturday; the closure and school changes were in effect Sunday.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia took precautionary measures as the Houthis threatened further attacks; the fighting has escalated amid a Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia and its supporters
Houthis and critics of escalation
Military response and regional security
Saudi Arabia and its supporters
Saudi Arabia has continued a military campaign against the Houthis, while Trump said he was considering whether the United States should join Saudi strikes.
Houthis and critics of escalation
The Houthis threatened further attacks and warned people away from Saudi airports and airspace. International Crisis Group analyst Ahmed Nagi cautioned that attacks on Saudi infrastructure could make Riyadh more determined to continue its campaign.
Civilian harm
Saudi Arabia and its supporters
Saudi authorities reported that the Riyadh airport attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300.
Houthis and critics of escalation
The Houthi-run health ministry said a child was killed and six people wounded in a suspected Saudi airstrike in Sanaa; Saudi authorities had not immediately commented.
Key facts
- Airport
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
- Airport closure
- Extended until at least 9 p.m. Sunday
- School arrangements
- Riyadh classes moved online through the end of the week
- Reported airport casualties
- 12 killed and more than 300 injured, according to Saudi authorities
- Houthi warning
- The group's spokesperson warned airlines, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace; Mecca and Medina were exempted.
- Possible US involvement
- Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States would join Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
- Separate reported strike
- The Houthi-run health ministry said a child was killed and six people wounded in a suspected Saudi airstrike in Sanaa.
Quotes
Yahya Saree
Houthi military spokesperson
“all airlines, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces.”
telegraphindia.com
“Rather than pushing Riyadh to step back, attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure could make the Saudis more determined to continue the campaign.”
telegraphindia.com
Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission president
“Attacks by Iran's proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence. They are destabilising crucial global transport and energy nodes.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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