N環球 
Missile strike on Riyadh airport kills 12, injures 309; airport shut down
Saudi civil aviation confirmed a missile hit Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport on October 10, killing 12 and injuring 309; all operations suspended and hundreds of flights cancelled or diverted. The US, Canadian, German and Spanish embassies told citizens to avoid the airport. Trump called the attack 'not acceptable' and did not rule out US military action against Iran and the Houthis.
Why it matters
A missile struck Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, killing 12 people and injuring 309. The airport was shut down and fully evacuated, with hundreds of flights cancelled or diverted. It is the deadliest attack in the kingdom in more than a decade, and the deadliest in a Gulf Arab country since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February.
Casualties and scene
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the 12 dead included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and one citizen each of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Several of the injured are in critical condition and being treated at multiple hospitals. The missile hit the Terminal 3/4 complex used for domestic flights; multiple outlets quoted sources saying parts of the Terminal 3 roof collapsed onto people inside.
Who is blamed
The strike is blamed on the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The Houthis had already claimed Thursday's (October 8) attack on the same airport but did not immediately claim this one. The Saudi-led coalition condemned the attack and pledged a response; Saudi Arabia also launched a fresh wave of strikes on Saturday against Houthi-held areas of Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport.
US response
President Trump called the attack 'not acceptable' and said he would speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Asked whether the US would join action against the Houthis, he said: 'We may. ... We move very quickly.' Washington is reportedly weighing renewed strikes on Iran and joint action with Saudi Arabia against the Houthis. The US, Canadian, German and Spanish embassies in Riyadh all warned their citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas.
Background
This was the third strike on the airport this week: Thursday's ballistic missile attack killed three Saudis, including a Saudia pilot, and damaged a Saudia aircraft; an earlier attack on Abha airport killed two women. At least 18 people have been killed in attacks on Saudi airports this week.
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