World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Saudi energy minister vows response after deadly Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia’s energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said attacks had tested the kingdom’s infrastructure and resilience.
The attacks were claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has escalated its campaign against Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
Saudi Arabia has long backed Yemen’s internationally recognised government in the war against the Houthis.
Strikes hit Riyadh’s international airport, and the authorities suspended its operations; Dammam airport was also targeted.
The attacks caused deaths and injuries, while Saudi forces said they intercepted a missile heading toward Khamis Mushait.
The minister said energy security could not be taken for granted and that Saudi Arabia’s response would be serious.
The Riyadh airport suspension was extended, and the minister did not specify what further action Saudi Arabia would take.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom would respond seriously after deadly Houthi attacks.
He said the attacks had tested Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, institutions, people and resilience.
A strike hit Riyadh’s international airport on October 11, killing one person, after an earlier attack there killed 13 and wounded hundreds, according to The Hindu.
The Houthis claimed multiple attacks and threatened to keep targeting Saudi transit hubs.
Saudi authorities also reported attacks on Dammam airport and a missile intercepted near Khamis Mushait.
- Who
- Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman vowed a response. Yemen’s Houthis claimed the attacks.
- What
- Saudi Arabia faced a wave of deadly attacks, including strikes on airports. The minister said the response would be equally serious.
- When
- The attacks took place over the weekend of October 10–11, 2026. The minister spoke on October 12.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Dammam and the area near Khamis Mushait.
- Why
- The Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets and threatened to target transit hubs. Their reasons are not stated.
Saudi Arabia and its coalition
Yemen’s Houthis
Attacks
Saudi Arabia and its coalition
Saudi authorities and the coalition reported Houthi attacks on Saudi sites.
Yemen’s Houthis
The Houthis claimed multiple attacks, including on Riyadh’s airport.
Threats and response
Saudi Arabia and its coalition
The Saudi Energy Minister vowed a serious response, and the coalition said it would respond decisively.
Yemen’s Houthis
The Houthis threatened to keep targeting Saudi transit hubs.
An attack on Riyadh drew condemnation, and the anti-Houthi coalition vowed to respond decisively.
Attacks hit Riyadh’s international airport, killing people and wounding hundreds, and airport operations were suspended.
The Houthis claimed multiple attacks and threatened to keep targeting Saudi transit hubs.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said Saudi Arabia’s response would be equally serious.
- Energy minister
- Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman
- Airport attack
- Riyadh international airport
- Date of minister’s statement
- October 12, 2026
- Attack deaths reported at Riyadh airport
- One person in the later strike; 13 in an earlier attack
- Wounded
- Hundreds in the earlier airport attack; 309 people in the civil aviation authority’s reported toll
- Other reported targets
- Dammam airport and a missile heading for Khamis Mushait
What people are saying
The events of recent weeks are serious, our response must be equally serious.
For Saudi Arabia, these circumstances have tested our infrastructure, our institutions, our people, and our resilience.
a theatre of operations for our forces
The whole house shook
Sources
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