Many wounded as missile strikes Riyadh airport in latest attack on Saudi Arabia

A fresh missile strike on Riyadh airport wounded many people and suspended operations amid escalating Houthi attacks and widespread flight disruptions.Riyadh’s airport has been targeted in a fresh missile attack, marking the latest strike on the facility in recent days, as escalating Houthi attacks disrupt air travel across Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the attack on Saturday, saying the number and condition of those injured were still being assessed.The authority said operations at King Khalid International Airport had been temporarily suspended while officials carried out damage assessments and safety inspections, with further updates expected.The Associated Press, citing two regional officials who were not authorised to speak publicly, reported that a missile struck a complex housing Terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, wounding many people and forcing an evacuation.Ambulances were seen rushing to the airport, while a Riyadh resident reported hearing explosions, according to AP.Flights bound for Riyadh were diverted, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, while several countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany and Canada, warned their citizens to avoid the airport.There was no immediate claim of responsibility from Yemen’s Houthi movement, while Saudi authorities did not identify who carried out the latest attack.Saturday’s incident follows earlier attacks claimed by the Houthis that killed three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia pilot, and injured several others.The earlier strikes targeted airport facilities and damaged a Saudia aircraft while it was on the ground, with no passengers on board.According to AP, King Khalid International Airport has been targeted repeatedly since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen earlier this month.The escalation has caused widespread disruption to air travel, with at least 225 flights at Riyadh airport cancelled over a 24-hour period, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware, as cited by AP.Air India, flydubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines are among the carriers that have suspended flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for several days.Qatar Airways has also extended the cancellation of selected Doha–Riyadh round trips through Sunday, October 11, citing operational reasons.The airline said passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority and advised travellers to check its website or app for the latest flight updates.Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, warning that missile and drone attacks, along with interception efforts, increase the risk of civilian aircraft being misidentified.The Houthis have also warned international airlines against operating in Saudi airspace, describing it as a theatre of military operations.Speaking to reporters on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi strikes against the Houthis.“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump said. “We just found out about the recent attack. So we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly.”